Add-on Sodium Nitroprusside to Treatment as Usual in Schizophrenia

Summary

In spite of the numerous studies on schizophrenia, its etiology and physiopathology remain unknown. Evidence suggests a possible implication of nitric oxide (NO) in schizophrenia. NO is a gas with unique chemistry and influences the release of neurotransmitters, learning, memory and neurodevelopment. Recent studies that investigated the role of NO in patients with schizophrenia found evidence that points to a disruption in NO-mediated neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Accordingly, we believe that the administration of sodium nitroprusside, an NO donor, will ameliorate schizophrenia symptoms.

Timeline

Start

2006-02

Primary completion

2009-06

Completion

2010-12

Outcome

Met primary endpoint

paper After the infusion of sodium nitroprusside, a rapid (within 4 hours) improvement of symptoms was observed. PMID 23699763 ↗

paper The placebo and experimental groups had significant differences in the 18-item Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale total score PMID 23699763 ↗

Publications

• Hallak JE, Maia-de-Oliveira JP, Abrao J, Evora PR, Zuardi AW, Crippa JA, Belmonte-de-Abreu P, Baker GB, Dursun SM. Rapid improvement of acute schizophrenia symptoms after intravenous sodium nitroprusside: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2013 Jul;70(7):668-76. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.1292.

Drugs

Evaluation	Drug	Modality	Dose	Route
Subject	Sodium Nitroprusside	Unknown	0.5 ug/kg	Intravenous

Indications