Amelioration of negative symptoms in schizophrenia by glycine.
Phencyclidine induces a psychotomimetic state by blocking neurotransmission at N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion, 14 medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia were treated with glycine, a potentiator of NMDA-receptor-mediated neurotransmission. Significant improvement in negative symptoms occurred in the group given glycine but not in the group given placebo, suggesting that potentiation of NMDA-receptor-mediated neurotransmission may represent an effective treatment for neuroleptic-resistant negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
Javitt
D C
DC
Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx Psychiatric Center, NY 10461.
Zylberman
I
I
Zukin
S R
SR
Heresco-Levy
U
U
Lindenmayer
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005998:Glycine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
D010919:Placebos; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D005998:Glycine