title: A pilot open study of long term high dose creatine augmentation in patients with treatment resistant negative symptoms schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of creatine on brain metabolism and the potential cognitive enhancing properties of this compound raise the possibility of developing a new augmentation therapeutic strategy in schizophrenia especially in patients demonstrating negative and cognitive symptomatology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven inpatients with chronic schizophrenia presenting with treatment resistant negative symptoms were enrolled into exploratory treatment study with creatine monohydrate augmentation at a daily high-dose of 10 grams, administered for 6 months. Several clinical rating scales and a computerized cognitive assessment battery were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Creatine treatment mildly improved the schizophrenia symptomatology but there were no significant changes in cognitive functions. Several ward behaviors were also improved. Tardive parkinsonism improved numerically by above 40% in 4 out of 6 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This small, open design study of high dose creatine add-on for 6 months in chronic inpatients with schizophrenia demonstrated only mild positive effects on the patients' symptomatology and behavior and might have beneficial effect on tardive parkinsonism.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Uri
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Levental
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Yuly
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bersudsky
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Tzvi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dwalatzky
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003401:Creatine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003401:Creatine