Double blind trial of adjunctive valacyclovir in individuals with schizophrenia who are seropositive for cytomegalovirus.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if adjunctive valacyclovir, an antiviral medication, reduces symptoms of persistent schizophrenia in individuals who are seropositive for cytomegalovirus (CMV).


METHODS
N=47 CMV seropositive schizophrenia outpatients were randomly assigned to receive valacyclovir 1 g twice daily (n=24) or placebo (n=23) for 16 weeks after a 2-week placebo run-in. Symptoms were assessed biweekly.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the change of positive, negative, general, or total PANSS symptoms between the valacyclovir vs. the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study did not demonstrate benefit of adjunctive valacyclovir for schizophrenia individuals with persistent symptoms who are CMV seropositive.
Dickerson
Faith B
FB
Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21204, USA. fdickerson@sheppardpratt.org
Stallings
Cassie R
CR
Boronow
John J
JJ
Origoni
Andrea E
AE
Sullens
Anne
A
Yolken
Robert H
RH
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015142:Baltimore; D015897:Comorbidity; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir