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Treatment of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia with Amisulpride

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

P. Boyer ,
Y. Lecrubier ,
A. J. Puech ,
J. Dewailly  and
F. Aubin
P. Boyer*
Affiliation:
Inserm, Hôpital St-Anne, Paris
Y. Lecrubier
Affiliation:
Inserm U302, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris
A. J. Puech
Affiliation:
Département de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris
J. Dewailly
Affiliation:
Laboratoires Delagrange, Paris
F. Aubin
Affiliation:
Département de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris
*
Dr D. Boyer, Hôpital St-Anne, 100 rue de la Santé, F75014 Paris, France
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Abstract

Background

The efficacy of low doses of certain neuroleptics in improving negative symptoms is still controversial. This study assessed the efficacy of amisulpride, a benzamide which increases dopaminergic transmission at low doses via presynaptic dopamine receptor blockade, on negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Method

The study was designed as a parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients had to fulfil DSM–III criteria for schizophrenia, Andreasen's criteria for negative schizophrenia, and to have a total score of at least 75 on the SANS; those treated with neuroleptics or antidepressants underwent a six-week placebo wash-out. One hundred and four in-patients were randomly assigned to amisulpride 100 mg/d, amisulpride 300 mg/d, or placebo for six weeks; 85 patients completed the study.

Results

Both amisulpride doses were significantly more effective than placebo on the primary evaluation criterion (SANS total score, MANOVA P < 0.02). No significant changes were found in positive symptoms or in extrapyramidal symptoms.

Conclusions

Negative symptoms can be improved by low doses of amisulpride, favouring the hypothesis of dopaminergic hypofunction as one of the causes of negative symptoms.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 166 , Issue 1 , January 1995 , pp. 68 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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