Highlights
•Blonanserin improved schizophrenia/dopamine supersensitivity patients’ symptoms.
** •Total BPRS and GAF scores were significantly improved by 3 months at the latest.**
** •BPRS positive symptoms and CGI-S scores were improved by 6 months at the latest.
** Total antipsychotic doses were reduced after 12 months of blonanserin treatment.
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 ± 499.6 mg to 794.1 ± 642.8 mg (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.
http://www.asianjournalofpsychiatry.com/article/S1876-2018(16)30215-5/abstract