A randomized controlled trial of allopurinol vs. placebo added on to antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Adenosine agonists produce behavioral effects similar to dopamine antagonists, hence increasing adenosine levels might improve symptoms of schizophrenia. This hypothesis is supported by three single-site studies indicating that allopurinol, which increases adenosine levels, improved symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. We performed a multi-center, 8-week RCT of allopurinol vs. placebo added to anti-psychotic medications in 248 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Both groups showed improvement in the PANSS (effect size 1.13) and in clinical and cognitive measures. No difference was observed between groups in primary (t=0.01, p=0.992) or secondary outcome measures. These findings do not support allopurinol as a treatment for schizophrenia.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Weiser, M; Gershon, AA; Rubinstein, K; Petcu, C; Ladea, M; Sima, D; Podea, D; Keefe, RSE; Davis, JM
Published Date
- June 2012
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 138 / 1
Start / End Page
- 35 - 38
PubMed ID
- 22483162
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1573-2509
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1016/j.schres.2012.02.014
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- Netherlands