Introduction
Methamphetamine associated psychosis (MAP) represents a mental disorder induced by chronic methamphetamine use in a subset of users. The prevalence of the disorder has increased in several countries in Europe and Asia where methamphetamine use has increased. MAP remains difficult to distinguish from primary psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia, creating complications in prescribing treatment plans to patients.
Design
This narrative review sought to summarize difficulties related to MAP diagnosis and highlight the need for a better treatment model. Current best practices are described and potential novel therapies and future research suggested.
Results
Results suggest that clear biological and clinical differences appear between patients presenting with MAP and schizophrenia and that there may exist distinct subgroups within MAP itself. MAP‐specific treatment studies have been few and have focused on the use of antipsychotic medication. Antipsychotic treatment has been shown to alleviate the psychotic symptoms of MAP but produce debilitating adverse effects and fail to adequately address methamphetamine use in patients.
Conclusions
Continued identification of subgroups within the heterogenous MAP population may lead to better diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for patients. Psychosocial therapies should be explored in addressing the cooccurring substance use and psychosis in the treatment of MAP.
Objective
This study examined the effect of adjunctive telmisartan on psychopathology and cognition in olanzapine or clozapine treated patients with schizophrenia.
Methods
In a 12-week randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study, patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder received either telmisartan (80mg once per day) or placebo. Psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and a neuropsychological battery was used to assess cognitive performance. Assessments for psychopathology and cognition were conducted at baseline and week 12.
Results
Fifty-four subjects were randomized and 43 completed the study (22 in the telmisartan group, 21 in the placebo group). After 12-weeks of treatment, the telmisartan group had a significant decrease in PANSS total score compared to the placebo group (mean ± SD: −4.1 ± 8.1 versus 0.4 ± 7.5, p=0.038, Cohen’s d=0.57). There were no significant differences between the two groups in change from baseline to week 12 in PANSS subscale scores, SANS total score or any cognitive measures (p’s > 0.100).
Conclusion
The present study suggests that adjunctive treatment with telmisartan may improve schizophrenia symptoms. Future trials with larger sample sizes and longer treatment durations are warranted.
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