title: Blonanserin Augmentation of Atypical Antipsychotics in Patients with Schizophrenia-Who Benefits from Blonanserin Augmentation?: An Open-Label, Prospective, Multicenter Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) with augmentation by blonanserin in schizophrenic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  aA total of 100 patients with schizophrenia who were partially or completely unresponsive to treatment with an AAP were recruited in this 12-week, open-label, non-comparative, multicenter study. Blonanserin was added to their existing AAP regimen, which was maintained during the study period. Efficacy was primarily evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Predictors for PANSS response (≥20% reduction) were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PANSS total score was significantly decreased at 12 weeks of blonanserin augmentation (-21.0±18.1, F=105.849, p<0.001). Moreover, 51.0% of participants experienced a response at week 12. Premature discontinuation of blonanserin occurred in 17 patients (17.0%); 4 of these patients dropped out due to adverse events. The patients who benefited the most from blonanserin were those with severe symptoms despite a treatment with a higher dose of AAP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blonanserin augmentation could be an effective strategy for patients with schizophrenia who were partially or completely unresponsive to treatment with an AAP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young Sup
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Keyo Hospital, Keyo Medical Foundation, Uiwang, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Joo Eon
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Hallym University Medical Center, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do-Hoon
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Keyo Hospital, Keyo Medical Foundation, Uiwang, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Inki
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.affiliation: WHO Collaborating Center of Yongin Mental Hospital, Yongin, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Yeon
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Duk-In
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Jon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Myong
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Bahk
keywords: Antipsychotics; Augmentation; Blonanserin; Schizophrenia; Treatment response