Zyprexa

The German Research Network on Schizophrenia (Bechdolf et al., 2005; Ruhrmann et al., 2005 ) reported promising but very preliminary results in a randomized, open-label design, comparing amisulspride to psychological management for prodromal symptoms.

Using a naturalistic treatment strategy Cornblatt et al.

(2002) observed that for individuals in the earlier prodromal stages with moderate positive symptoms, antidepressants may be an effective alternative to antipsychotics.

Other, more experimental approaches are being investigated as well.

Researchers in Melbourne, Australia, have been conducting a one-year trial with low-dose lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), the definitive results of which are expected soon.

Using predictions derived from the membrane model of schizophrenia, Woods et al.

(2002) conducted a three-month study with ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid.

The results are awaited.

Some studies suggest that psychological treatments such as CBT may have advantages over standard treatments for psychosis in terms of reducing the transition from pre-psychotic states to full-blown psychosis (Haddock and Lewis, 2005).

Morrison et al.

(2002) randomized prodromal patients into those receiving CBT versus monitoring only.

At one-year followup, 6% of the CBT arm versus 22% of the control arm had develo...

Read more...