title: Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of open label sarcosine added on to anti-psychotic treatment in schizophrenia - preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypofunction of NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission might play a critical role in schizophrenia. Sarcosine, N- methylglycine and inhibitor of the glycine transporter-1 (Gly-T1), has been suggested as a novel treatment for schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Open label sarcosine was added to 22 stabilized patients: 5 patients received 2 gm/d, and 17 received 4gm/d. Pharmacokinetics samples, clinical and cognitive parameters using PANSS, CGI and MCCB were collected for all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement was observed after one week of treatment on PANSS sub-scale of 'positive symptoms' (Z= -2.68; P=0.007) and 'general psychopathology' (Z= -3.02; P=0.003), an improvement in PANSS total score and CGI-S showed a trend (Z= -2.72; P=0.06; Z=-2.69; P=0.08). Speed of processing (MCCB subscale) improved significantly (Z=-2.13; P=0.03). Sarcosine exhibited linear kinetics, with a Tmax and t½ of ~1½- 2½ hr and ~1hr, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was a short period, open label pilot study with small sample size per dosage group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sarcosine is a safe compound and might be efficacious in the treatment of schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Revital
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amiaz
authors.affiliation: Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Ilan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.affiliation: Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Katya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rubinstein
authors.affiliation: Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Ben Ami
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sela
authors.affiliation: Nathan Klein Institute, Orangeburg, New York, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Javitt
authors.affiliation: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weiser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012521:Sarcosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D012521:Sarcosine