-
1.
Dose-dependent effects of olanzapine on QT intervals and plasma prolactin levels in Japanese patients with stable schizophrenia.
Suzuki, Y, Ono, S, Sugai, T, Fukui, N, Watanabe, J, Tsuneyama, N, Sawamura, K, Someya, T
Human psychopharmacology. 2011;(6):440-3
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There have been few reports regarding olanzapine (OLZ)-related QT prolongation and hyperprolactinemia. This study evaluated the dose-dependent effect of OLZ on QT interval and plasma prolactin (PRL) level in a single sample of patients with schizophrenia. METHODS Twenty-six subjects treated with varying starting doses of OLZ were enrolled in the study. Following baseline assessments, which included completion of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), measurements of Body Mass Index (BMI), QT interval, electrolytes, fasting plasma glucose, PRL, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL), the dose of OLZ was increased for each subject. The same parameters were evaluated following the increased dose treatment. RESULTS A significant decrease was observed in BPRS score (p = 0.01) following treatment with an increased dose of OLZ. Significant increases were observed in BMI (p = 0.032), QTc (p = 0.031), and plasma PRL level (p = 0.028). The mean values of electrolytes, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, HDL and LDL treatment were unchanged by the switch to increased-dose OLZ treatment. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated the dose-dependent effect of OLZ on the QT interval and the plasma PRL level of patients with schizophrenia.
-
2.
Effects of the cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist rimonabant on psychiatric symptoms in overweight people with schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, pilot study.
Kelly, DL, Gorelick, DA, Conley, RR, Boggs, DL, Linthicum, J, Liu, F, Feldman, S, Ball, MP, Wehring, HJ, McMahon, RP, et al
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology. 2011;(1):86-91
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
Weight gain is a major adverse effect of several second-generation antipsychotic medications. Rimonabant is a cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist that promotes weight loss in the general population. We conducted a 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of rimonabant (20 mg/d) in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria, who were clinically stable on second-generation antipsychotics. Participants had a body mass index of 27 kg/m or higher with hyperlipidemia or body mass index of 30 kg/m or higher, and no current substance abuse/dependence (except nicotine), more than weekly cannabis use, or recent depressive symptoms/suicidality. An exercise and dietary counseling group was offered weekly. Target enrollment was 60; the trial was terminated early because of withdrawal of rimonabant from the European market. Fifteen participants were randomized (7 rimonabant, 8 placebo); 5 completed in each group. Rimonabant was associated with a greater reduction in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total score versus placebo (mean ± SE difference, -1.9 ± 0.8, P = 0.02), driven by differences in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale anxiety/depression (-1.4 ± 0.35, P = 0.0004) and hostility (-0.7 ± 0.3, P = 0.02) factors. Group differences were not significant for the Calgary Depression Scale total score (P = 0.24), Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms total score (P = 0.13), weight, blood pressure, or fasting lipids or glucose. Rimonabant was well tolerated with no significant adverse events. No significant weight loss, metabolic effects, or adverse psychiatric effects were associated with the cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist rimonabant in this small sample of people with schizophrenia. The endocannabinoid system remains a promising target for pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia and obesity.
-
3.
Ultrasound bone mass in schizophrenic patients on antipsychotic therapy.
Rey-Sánchez, P, Lavado-García, JM, Canal-Macías, ML, Gómez-Zubeldia, MA, Roncero-Martín, R, Pedrera-Zamorano, JD
Human psychopharmacology. 2009;(1):49-54
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine bone mass using quantitative phalangeal bone ultrasound in institutionalized schizophrenic patients under chronic treatment with antipsychotic drugs. METHODS A total of 73 patients with schizophrenia (25 women, mean age 59.84 +/- 17.01 years; 48 men, mean age 61.89 +/- 12.95 years) and 73 healthy subjects (25 women, mean age 60.37 +/- 17.16 years; 48 men, mean age 61.24 +/- 13.09 years) participated in the study. Bone status was assessed using an ultrasound device that measures the amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS) in metres per second. Measurements were made on the phalanges (II-V) of the non-dominant hand, and the mean value was computed. RESULTS The schizophrenic women had higher levels of prolactin (PRL), parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (AlPh), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) (all p < 0.0001), and lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25(OH)D3) levels (p < 0.0001) and Ad-SoS values (p < 0.05) than controls. Ad-SoS was higher in schizophrenic men (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Schizophrenic women in treatment with antipsychotic drugs had a loss of phalangeal bone mass that was associated with the levels of vitamin D or PTH, and increased bone turnover.
-
4.
Improvements in autobiographical memory in schizophrenia patients after a cognitive intervention: a preliminary study.
Blairy, S, Neumann, A, Nutthals, F, Pierret, L, Collet, D, Philippot, P
Psychopathology. 2008;(6):388-96
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is associated with a reduction in accessing specific autobiographical information. This is consistent with the abnormal development of personal identity that characterizes this mental disorder. Using a schizophrenic population, the present study evaluates the effect of a cognitive intervention on autobiographical memory and the capacity to project oneself in the future. SAMPLING AND METHOD The intervention consisted of group sessions, during which participants were trained to recollect specific events reported in their diary. Furthermore, exercises to stimulate their thoughts about their personal identity were proposed. An autobiographical memory test was administrated before the intervention, after the intervention and at the 3-month follow-up. In addition, neuropsychological and affective assessments were conducted before and after treatments. Patients' performances were compared to those from the control group. RESULTS The ability to recall specific events was improved by the cognitive intervention, and the benefits were preserved 3 months later. However, no neuropsychological or affective benefit was found. CONCLUSION Despite positive results on specific memory, any significant benefits have yet to be extended to other clinical variables such as symptom reduction and neuropsychological/social functioning. Nevertheless, the results revealed that cognitive remediation therapy could be a useful additional intervention for autobiographical memory deficits in schizophrenia patients.
-
5.
Schizophrenia and polymorphic CAG repeats array of calcium-activated potassium channel (KCNN3) gene in Serbian population.
Ivković, M, Ranković, V, Tarasjev, A, Orolicki, S, Damjanović, A, Paunović, VR, Romac, S
The International journal of neuroscience. 2006;(2):157-64
Abstract
KCNN3 might be a candidate gene for schizophrenia. The KCNN3 cDNA sequence contains two stretches of CAG trinucleotide repeats encoding two separate polyglutamine segments near the N-terminus of this channel protein. The second CAG repeat is highly polymorphic in the Caucasian population from both Europe and United States. The authors carried out a study to compare the allelic frequency distribution of the CAG repeat in KCNN3 gene in 55 Serbian schizophrenic patients and 46 controls. The data indicate a significant association between longer CAG repeats in second polymorphic KCNN3 region and schizophrenia in the Serbian population.
-
6.
BDNF gene is a risk factor for schizophrenia in a Scottish population.
Neves-Pereira, M, Cheung, JK, Pasdar, A, Zhang, F, Breen, G, Yates, P, Sinclair, M, Crombie, C, Walker, N, St Clair, DM
Molecular psychiatry. 2005;(2):208-12
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disease with a strong genetic component. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and bipolar (BP) disorders. The present study has examined two polymorphisms in linkage disequilibrium in the BDNF gene, which have been variously reported as associated with schizophrenia and BP. In our study, 321 probands with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and 263 with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder, were examined together with 350 controls drawn from the same geographical region of Scotland. The val66met single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) showed significant (P = 0.005) association for valine (allele G) with schizophrenia but not bipolar disorder. Haplotype analysis of val/met SNP and a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the putative promoter region revealed highly significant (P < 1 x 10(-8)) under-representation of the methionine or met-1 haplotype in the schizophrenic but not the BP population. We conclude that, although the val66met polymorphism has been reported to alter gene function, the risk may depend upon the haplotypic background on which the val/met variant is carried.
-
7.
Effects of nicotine on cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.
Harris, JG, Kongs, S, Allensworth, D, Martin, L, Tregellas, J, Sullivan, B, Zerbe, G, Freedman, R
Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2004;(7):1378-85
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest a pathophysiological role for nicotinic receptors in schizophrenia. Activation by nicotine alters physiological dysfunctions, such as eye movement and sensory gating abnormalities, but effects on neuropsychological performance are just beginning to be investigated. Nicotine-induced desensitization and the well-known tachyphylaxis of nicotinic receptors may confound such efforts. In all, 20 schizophrenics, 10 smokers, and 10 nonsmokers were assessed following the administration of nicotine gum and placebo gum. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status was administered. Nicotine affected only the Attention Index; there were no effects on learning and memory, language, or visuospatial/constructional abilities. Attentional function was increased in nonsmokers, but decreased in nicotine-abstinent smokers after nicotine administration. The effects of nicotine in schizophrenia do not extend to all areas of cognition. Effects on attention may be severely limited by tachyphylaxis, such that decremented performance occurs in smokers, while modest effects may be achieved in nonsmokers.
-
8.
Vitamin B6 as add-on treatment in chronic schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Lerner, V, Miodownik, C, Kaptsan, A, Cohen, H, Loewenthal, U, Kotler, M
The Journal of clinical psychiatry. 2002;(1):54-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, plays an intrinsic role in the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters that take part in development of psychotic states. Several reports indicate that vitamin B6 may be a factor in a number of psychiatric disorders and related conditions, such as autism, Alzheimer's disease, hyperactivity, learning disability, anxiety disorder, and depression. Moreover, there are anecdotal reports of a reduction in psychotic symptoms after vitamin B6 supplementation of psychopharmacologic treatment of patients suffering from schizophrenia or organic mental disorder. The aim of this study was to examine whether vitamin B6 therapy influences psychotic symptoms in patients suffering from schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. METHOD The effects of the supplementation of vitamin B6 to antipsychotic treatment on positive and negative symptoms in 15 schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients (DSM-IV criteria) were examined in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study spanning 9 weeks. All patients had stable psychopathology for at least 1 month before entry into the study and were maintained on treatment with their prestudy psychoactive and antiparkinsonian medications throughout the study. All patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for schizophrenia on a weekly basis. Patients randomly received placebo or vitamin B6, starting at 100 mg/day in the first week and increasing to 400 mg/day in the fourth week by 100-mg increments each week. RESULTS PANSS scores revealed no differences between vitamin B6- and placebo-treated patients in amelioration of their mental state. CONCLUSION Further studies with larger populations and shorter duration of illness are needed to clarify the question of the possible efficacy of vitamin B6 in treatment of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia.