title: Acetylsalicylic acid as an adjuvant therapy for schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Findings from both epidemiological and basic research point to the possibility that NSAIDS impede the deterioration in schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  To study the efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid we will perform a randomized placebo controlled double-blind add-on trial of 80 inpatients and outpatients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform or schizoaffective disorder. Patients will be 1:1 randomized to either 3 months 1000 mg acetylsalicylic acid per day or 3 months placebo, in addition to their regular antipsychotic treatment. All patients will receive pantoprazole treatment for gastroprotection. The outcomes of this study are 3-month change in psychotic and negative symptom severity, cognitive function, and several immunological parameters. This trial may (1) yield a new (adjuvant) therapy for schizophrenia and (2) add to the knowledge on the pathogenesis of this major psychiatric disorder.
authors.affiliation: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. W.Laan@umcutrecht.nl
authors.forename: Wijnand
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Laan
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Selten
authors.forename: René S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Anne-Margriet
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.forename: Cobi J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Heijnen
authors.forename: Diederick E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Grobbee
authors.forename: Huibert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burger