Repeated naloxone administration in schizophrenia: A phase II world health organization study

Beneficial Effects of Nalmefene Augmentation in Neuroleptic-Stabilized Schizophrenic Patients

“…These decreases in Bunney-Hamburg psychosis ratings and the BPRS thinking disturbance score extend the previous findings of Pickar and colleagues that short term opioid system blockade decreases positive symp toms of psychosis (Pickar et al 1981a(Pickar et al , 1981b(Pickar et al , 1982c.…”

“…This study presents preliminary data supporting the hypothesis that chrollic augmentation of neuroleptic stabilized schizophrenic patients with opiate antagonists is beneficial. {Neuropsychopharmacology 9:111-115, 1993J Davis et al 1986;Wiegant et al 1988); however, other studies using more specifIc techniques did not replicate these fIndings (for review see, Bissette et al 1986;Pickar et al 1989). …”

“…Clinical trials found that the administration of exogenous opiates (p-endorphin and cyclazocine) produces auditory hal lucinations, elation, disorientation, and conceptual dis organization, and that naloxone, a short-acting opiate antagonist, can block the emergence of these symptoms (Jasinski et al 1967(Jasinski et al , 1968Pickar et al 1984). The results of treatment studies using naloxone have been incon clusive (see Bissette et al 1986;Pickar et al 1989). Opi ate antagonists were ineffective when used as the sole treatment for schizophrenia; however, when used as an adjuvant; brief trials of naloxone decreased positive symptoms of psychosis (Bissette et al 1986;Pickar et al 1981aPickar et al , 1981bPickar et al , 1982c.…”

“…The results of treatment studies using naloxone have been incon clusive (see Bissette et al 1986;Pickar et al 1989). Opi ate antagonists were ineffective when used as the sole treatment for schizophrenia; however, when used as an adjuvant; brief trials of naloxone decreased positive symptoms of psychosis (Bissette et al 1986;Pickar et al 1981aPickar et al , 1981bPickar et al , 1982c. Unfortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) international collaborative repeated-dose naloxone augmentation trial could not confIrm the results of these single-dose studies (Pickar et al 1989).…”

“…Opi ate antagonists were ineffective when used as the sole treatment for schizophrenia; however, when used as an adjuvant; brief trials of naloxone decreased positive symptoms of psychosis (Bissette et al 1986;Pickar et al 1981aPickar et al , 1981bPickar et al , 1982c. Unfortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) international collaborative repeated-dose naloxone augmentation trial could not confIrm the results of these single-dose studies (Pickar et al 1989). In an attempt to resolve this controversy about the efficacy of opiate antagonists as adjuvants in 0893-133X/93/$6.00 neuroleptic-stabilized patients, we performed a double blind placebo-controlled study in which typical neu roleptic treatment was augmented with nalmefene.…”