title: A prospective, open-label trial of olanzapine in adolescents with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic that has efficacy in adults with psychotic disorders. This preliminary study examined the effectiveness of olanzapine in adolescents with schizophrenia or its related conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescents aged 12-17 years (inclusive) with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or schizophreniform disorder were enrolled in this 8-week, open-label, outpatient study. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI), and the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) were administered as outcome measures. Extrapyramidal side effects were assessed at each visit. Olanzapine was initiated at a dose of 2.5 mg/day and could be increased to a maximum total daily dose of 20 mg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen participants with a mean age of 13.8 (SD = 1.5) years were treated. Significant improvements were found in the PANSS, CGI severity, and CGAS scores. Reductions in both positive and negative symptoms were found. Increased appetite and sedation were the most frequently reported side effects. Two subjects required treatment for extrapyramidal side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychotic symptoms significantly improved during study. Overall, olanzapine was well tolerated. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings, to assess long-term treatment outcomes, and to compare the effectiveness of olanzapine with that of other antipsychotics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. robert.findling@uhhs.com
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Findling
authors.forename: Nora K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Youngstrom
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Branicky
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Demeter
authors.forename: S Charles
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Schulz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010890:Pirenzepine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010890:Pirenzepine; D000077152:Olanzapine