Acute effects of treatment for prodromal symptoms for people putatively in a late initial prodromal state of psychosis.
BACKGROUND
People in a putatively late prodromal state not only have an enhanced risk for psychosis but already suffer from mental and functional disturbances.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acute effects of a combined supportive and antipsychotic treatment on prodromal symptoms.


METHODS
Putatively prodromal individuals were randomly assigned to a needs-focused intervention without (n=59) or with amisulpride (n=65). Outcome measures at 12-weeks effects were prodromal symptoms, global functioning and extrapyramidal side-effects.


RESULTS
Amisulpride plus the needs-focused intervention produced superior effects on attenuated and full-blown psychotic symptoms, basic, depressive and negative symptoms, and global functioning. Main side-effects were prolactin associated.


CONCLUSIONS
Coadministration of amisulpride yielded a marked symptomatic benefit. Effects require confirmation by a placebo-controlled study.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of the University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924 Cologne, Germany. stephan.ruhrmann@uk-koeln.de
S
S
Ruhrmann
A
A
Bechdolf
K-U
KU
Kühn
M
M
Wagner
F
F
Schultze-Lutter
B
B
Janssen
K
K
Maurer
H
H
Häfner
W
W
Gaebel
H-J
HJ
Möller
W
W
Maier
J
J
Klosterkötter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000517:prevention & control; D012569:Schizotypal Personality Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride