title: Double blind trial of adjunctive valacyclovir in individuals with schizophrenia who are seropositive for cytomegalovirus.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21204, USA. fdickerson@sheppardpratt.org
authors.forename: Faith B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Dickerson
authors.forename: Cassie R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Stallings
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Boronow
authors.forename: Andrea E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Origoni
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sullens
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Yolken
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir