Reduction of symptoms by valacyclovir in cytomegalovirus-seropositive individuals with schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
The study was an investigation of the effect of the antiviral medication valacyclovir on the symptoms of outpatients with persistent schizophrenia.


METHODS
Oral valacyclovir, 1 g twice daily, was administered to 65 outpatients over 16 weeks along with their usual psychiatric medications. Changes in psychiatric symptoms were measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and were tested for correlations with antibodies to potentially neurotropic human herpesviruses, as measured by immunoassay before the start of the therapy.


RESULTS
There was a significant improvement in the psychiatric symptoms of individuals who were seropositive for cytomegalovirus. Improvement was not associated with antibodies to other herpesviruses or to a range of demographic and clinical variables.


CONCLUSIONS
The replication of cytomegalovirus may contribute to the symptoms of schizophrenia in some individuals.
Dickerson
Faith B
FB
Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins University, Blalock 1105, 600 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21287-4933, USA.
Boronow
John J
JJ
Stallings
Cassie R
CR
Origoni
Andrea E
AE
Yolken
Robert H
RH
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D011355:Prodrugs; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir