title: No alterations of brain GABA after 6 months of treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs in early-stage first-episode schizophrenia.
abstract: We investigated the effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on GABA concentrations in early-stage, first-episode schizophrenia patients. Sixteen (8 males, 8 females; age, 30±11 years old) patients were followed up for six months. We also included 18 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects. All patients were treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs (5 patients with risperidone, 5 patients with olanzapine, 4 patients with aripiprazole, and 2 patients with quetiapine). In all three regions measured (frontal lobe, left basal ganglia, and parieto-occipital lobe), no differences in GABA concentrations were observed in a comparison of pre-treatment levels and those six months after treatment. These results suggest that relatively short-term treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs may not affect GABAergic neurotransmission; however, it is also possible that such treatment prevents further reductions in brain GABA levels in people with early-stage, first-episode schizophrenia.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 8078555, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors: Naoki
authors: N
authors: Goto
authors: Reiji
authors: R
authors: Yoshimura
authors: Shingo
authors: S
authors: Kakeda
authors: Junji
authors: J
authors: Moriya
authors: Hikaru
authors: H
authors: Hori
authors: Kenji
authors: K
authors: Hayashi
authors: Atsuko
authors: A
authors: Ikenouchi-Sugita
authors: Wakako
authors: W
authors: Nakano-Umene
authors: Asuka
authors: A
authors: Katsuki
authors: Joji
authors: J
authors: Nishimura
authors: Yukunori
authors: Y
authors: Korogi
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000145:classification; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid