No alterations of brain GABA after 6 months of treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs in early-stage first-episode schizophrenia.
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.
Goto
Naoki
N
Department of Psychiatry, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 8078555, Fukuoka, Japan.
Yoshimura
Reiji
R
Kakeda
Shingo
S
Moriya
Junji
J
Hori
Hikaru
H
Hayashi
Kenji
K
Ikenouchi-Sugita
Atsuko
A
Nakano-Umene
Wakako
W
Katsuki
Asuka
A
Nishimura
Joji
J
Korogi
Yukunori
Y
Nakamura
Jun
J
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*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid