title: An open-label pilot trial of alpha-lipoic acid for weight loss in patients with schizophrenia without diabetes.
abstract: A possible mechanism of antipsychotic-induced weight gain is activation of hypothalamic monophosphate-dependent kinase (AMPK) mediated by histamine 1 receptors. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a potent antioxidant, counteracts this effect and may be helpful in reducing weight for patients taking antipsychotics. The objective of this open-label study was to assess the efficacy of ALA (1,200 mg) on twelve non-diabetic schizophrenia patients over ten weeks. Participants lost significant weight during the intervention (-2.2 kg±2.5 kg). ALA was well tolerated and was particularly effective for individuals taking strongly antihistaminic antipsychotics (-2.9 kg±2.6 kg vs. -0.5 kg±1.0 kg).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT01355952.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ratliff
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Laura B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Palmese
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Reutenauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Cenk
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008063:Thioctic Acid
keywords: Alpha-Lipoic Acid; Obesity; Schizoaffective Disorder; Schizophrenia