title: Improvement of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment following S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) augmentation in schizophrenia.
abstract: S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e), functions as a primary methyl group donor for several metabolic compounds. Since SAM-e is involved in several metabolic processes, its administration may have a role in the amelioration of several disorders. In addition, SAM-e increases catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme activity, which may ameliorate aggressive symptoms in certain patients. We have therefore investigated the efficacy of SAM-e in managing schizophrenia symptomatology in patients with the low activity COMT polymorphism. Eighteen patients with chronic schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive either SAM-e (800 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks in double-blind fashion. Results indicated some reduction in aggressive behavior and improved quality of life following SAM-e administration. Female patients showed improvement of depressive symptoms. Clinical improvement did not correlate with serum SAM-e levels. Two patients receiving SAM-e exhibited some exacerbation of irritability. This preliminary pilot short-term study cautiously supports SAM-e as an adjunct in management of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Beer Yaakov Mental Health Center, Israel. raels@post.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: Rael D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Strous
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ritsner
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ratner
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maayan
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kotler
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lachman
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine