The results, recently published in the leading journal in psychiatry, Molecular Psychiatry, revealed that raloxifene, a drug used to treat cancer and osteoporosis, when taken daily alongside antipsychotic medication, stimulates brain activity and improved verbal memory, attention and processing speed in both men and women with schizophrenia.
“This is absolutely the result we were hoping for,” says Prof Shannon Weickert. “Addressing these problems means we may be able to improve the ability of people suffering from schizophrenia to function better socially and maintain employment. It also opens the door to exploring other, new treatment options that address cognitive deficits.”
Raloxifene may increase the risk of serious blood clots. Do not take raloxifene if you have a history of serious blood clots (eg, in the lung, leg, or eye).
Raloxifene may increase the risk of death from stroke in patients who have coronary heart disease or who are at risk for certain serious heart problems. If you have heart problems or are at risk for a serious heart problem, talk with your doctor to be sure that the benefits of using raloxifene outweigh the risks.