title: COX-2 inhibitors as adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia: rationale for use and evidence to date.
abstract: A better understanding of the human immune system and its complex interactions has resulted in new insights into the pathoaetiological mechanisms of psychiatric disorders. As a result, new treatment options are being explored. Several findings suggest that an imbalanced immune response is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. COX-2 inhibitors are known to influence the immune system in a way that may redirect this imbalance. Based on these suggestions, the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib has been tested as a possible adjunctive therapeutic approach in the treatment of schizophrenia. While the first trial using celecoxib as add-on therapy to an atypical antipsychotic showed a significant beneficial effect, recent studies demonstrated that this effect may be limited to patients with recent-onset schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilan University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strassnig
authors.forename: Markus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors