The effect of L-dopa on young patients with simple schizophrenia, treated with neuroleptic drugs: a double-blind cross-over trial with Madopar and placebo.
Thirteen out of 18 young out-patients with simple schizophrenia under neuroleptic treatment completed a double-blind cross-over trial with Madopar [L-Dopa + benserazid (a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor)] and placebo. Nine patients were given 900 mg L-Dopa + 225 mg benserazid daily, 1 patient received 600 mg L-Dopa + 150 mg benserazid, and 3 patients, 300 mg L-Dopa + 75 mg benserazid. In these doses, L-Dopa was effective against emotional withdrawal, blunted affect, tendency to isolation and apathy, without inducing or aggravating productive, accessory symptoms. The activity score, according to the specific activity-withdrawal scale, was significantly increased (P less than 0.05), whereas the total BPRS score (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) was slightly, but significantly reduced (P less than 0.05). In cases where L-Dopa had to be limited to 600 and 300 mg daily, a tendency to anxiety, distortion of thinking, and a sense of unreality were observed, depending on the dose of L-Dopa. In no case were gastrointestinal, cardiovascular or neurological side-effects observed.
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D001545:Benserazide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006834:Hydrazines; D010919:Placebos; D007980:Levodopa; D001545:Benserazide