Effects of Chlorpromazine and Promazine on the Perception of Some Multi-Stable Visual Figures

Abstract

Chlorpromazine (CPZ) and promazine were studied for their effects on the reversal rate and dominance of aspect of several multi-stable (ambiguous) visual figures. The normal perception of some versions of the Schröder Staircase and the Man/Woman figure was biased towards one aspect and CPZ increased this bias compared with saline and promazine. There was a tendency for both CPZ and promazine to lower reversal rate. The results are discussed in relation to explanations of perceptual reversal and some implications are suggested for understanding the functional deficits of schizophrenia.