Is cholecystokinin therapeutic in chronic schizophrenia?
Cholecystokinin (CCK) has been implicated as a neurotransmitter, and recent research has identified CCK as having potential antipsychotic effects in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Nine chronic schizophrenic patients with prominent psychotic symptoms and a history of resistance to conventional neuroleptic treatment were administered ceruletide, a synthetic decapeptide of cerulein, intramuscularly. No clinically significant short-term or long-term therapeutic effects were demonstrated, despite the results of statistical analysis which indicated significant improvement. The implications of this open clinical trial for a new treatment modality of chronic schizophrenia are discussed.
D000328:Adult; D002108:Ceruletide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D002108:Ceruletide; D002766:Cholecystokinin