title: Paliperidone for the treatment of schizoaffective disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schizoaffective disorder (SCA) is a complex mental illness characterized by psychosis and affective symptoms. Treatment usually involves concomitant therapy with antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and/or antidepressants. Effective treatment must address acute symptoms, maintain long-term stability, promote recovery, and improve patient functioning.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 3 pivotal studies evaluating the acute and maintenance treatment of SCA with paliperidone are reviewed. Two formulations of paliperidone have been studied for these indications: an extended-release oral formulation (NCT00397033, NCT00412373) and long-acting injectable once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (NCT01193153). The reported effects of these formulations on psychotic, depressive, and manic symptoms are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both formulations were found to be safe and effective for the acute and maintenance treatment of SCA. Of critical importance for this treatment population is that rapid improvement was seen in all major symptoms of SCA, including psychosis, depression, and mania. Mediation analyses suggest that the known antipsychotic effects of paliperidone occur independently of its antidepressant effects. Both formulations of the drug are effective when used as monotherapy or adjunctively with antidepressants or mood stabilizers. Beyond symptom control, both formulations improved patient functioning and increased patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: a CNS Clinical Development , Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC , Titusville , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alphs
authors.affiliation: a CNS Clinical Development , Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC , Titusville , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Dong-Jing
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: b Statistics and Decision Sciences, Janssen Research and Development, LLC , Titusville , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Turkoz
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D000068882:Paliperidone Palmitate / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000068882:Paliperidone Palmitate
keywords: Paliperidone ER; long-acting injectable; paliperidone palmitate; schizoaffective disorder