Sarcosine (N-methylglycine) treatment for acute schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind study.
BACKGROUND
Small molecules that enhance the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) neurotransmission have been shown to be beneficial as adjuvant therapy for schizophrenia. Among these compounds, sarcosine (a glycine transporter-I inhibitor), when added to an existing regimen of antipsychotic drugs, has shown its efficacy for both chronically stable and acutely ill patients. However, the efficacy of these agents as a primary antipsychotic agent has not yet been demonstrated.


METHODS
Twenty acutely symptomatic drug-free patients with schizophrenia were randomly assigned under double-blind conditions to receive a 6-week trial of 2 g or 1 g of sarcosine daily.


RESULTS
Overall, patients in the 2-g group were more likely to respond as defined by a 20% or more reduction of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score, particularly among antipsychotic-naïve patients. However, there was no significant between-group difference in the sarcosine dose x time interaction analysis. Both doses were well tolerated with minimal side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Although patients receiving the 2-g daily dose were more likely to respond, it requires further clarification whether the effect is limited to the antipsychotic-naive population. Future placebo- or active-controlled, larger-sized studies are needed to fully assess sarcosine's effects.
Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University and Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Hsien-Yuan
HY
Lane
Yi-Ching
YC
Liu
Chieh-Liang
CL
Huang
Yue-Cune
YC
Chang
Chun-Hui
CH
Liau
Cheng-Hwang
CH
Perng
Guochuan E
GE
Tsai
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012521:Sarcosine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D012521:Sarcosine