title: Effectiveness of blonanserin for patients with drug treatment-resistant schizophrenia and dopamine supersensitivity: A retrospective analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP) is one of the key factors contributing to the development of antipsychotic treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). We investigated the efficacy of blonanserin, an atypical antipsychotic, for patients with TRS and DSP.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this 12-month retrospective follow-up study, we investigated the cases of eight consecutive patients with unstable TRS and DSP treated with blonanserin as an add-on therapy. We examined changes in scores for the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scale and the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) during the 12 months after the administration of blonanserin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients' total scores on the BPRS and GAF scores were significantly improved by 3 months at the latest. Positive BPRS and CGI-S scores were also improved by 6 months at the latest. The total chlorpromazine-equivalent doses of antipsychotics were significantly reduced from 1462.3±499.6mg to 794.1±642.8mg (p=0.001) after 12 months of blonanserin treatment, with a favorable safety and tolerability profile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blonanserin may be a promising antipsychotic for the treatment of TRS and DSP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Fujita Hospital, Sosa City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Masumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tachibana
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan. Electronic address: niitsu@chiba-u.jp.
authors.forename: Tomihisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Niitsu
authors.affiliation: Fujita Hospital, Sosa City, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Motoki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Tasuku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuhisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanahara
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Masatomo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan; Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iyo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D004298:Dopamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D010880:Piperidines; C079310:blonanserin; D004298:Dopamine
keywords: Blonanserin; DSP; Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis; TRS; Treatment-resistant schizophrenia