A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study of pravastatin as an adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia patients: Effect on inflammation, psychopathology, cognition and lipid metabolism

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the role of pravastatin, as an adjunctive therapy, on inflammatory markers, lipid and glucose metabolism, psychopathology, and cognition in subjects with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Methods Schizophrenia or schizoaffective subjects (N=60) were randomized to receive either a 12-week supply of pravastatin 40 mg/day or placebo treatment. Anthropometric measures, lipids and glucose metabolism, inflammatory markers, psychopathology and cognitive performance were assessed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. Results Pravastatin use was associated with a significant decrease in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and LDL particle number levels, but was not associated with any significant changes in cognition or psychopathology in the participants, except a significant decrease in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive symptoms score from baseline to week 6. However, this decrease failed to remain significant at 12 weeks. Interestingly, triglycerides, LDLCholesterol, Total cholesterol, LDL particle number, small LDL particle number, large very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle number and c-reactive protein (CRP) followed a similar pattern at 6 and 12 weeks as psychopathology. Conclusions These results suggest that a randomized trial with a larger sample size and a higher dosage of pravastatin, and would be helpful in further evaluating the anti-inflammatory properties of pravastatin, its association with improvements in cognitive symptoms, and its potential to reduce positive and negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders.

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“…Pilot studies of pravastatin and simvastatin, lipid lowering medications, have been conducted in schizophrenia patients. The preliminary findings from these trials also indicate these medications also provide a temporary reduction in inflammation, positive, and negative symptoms (Chaudhry et al, 2014; Vincenzi et al, 2014). However, larger scale clinical trials that consider their long-term effects are necessary to replicate and confirm long-term beneficial outcomes.…”