Abstract

EFFECT OF ADDING PYRIDOSTIGMINE WITH 2ND GENERATION ANTIPSYCHOTIC DRUGS ON NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Hatam Boustani, Sirous Pakseresht, Rokhshid Pirboveyri*, Ahmad Fakhri, Seyedeh Tahereh Jazayeri

Abstract

Background: The dysfunction of acetylcholinesterase receptor system is considered as the one of the probable mechanism of schizophrenia. In this clinical trial study, the efficacy and safety of adding cholinesterase inhibitors (pyridostigmine) to the second generation of antipsychotic drugs on negative symptoms of schizophrenia were examined. Materials and methods: In the parallel double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 30 patients with schizophrenia were divided to equal groups received pyridostigmine (n = 15) to a dose of 60 mg per day or placebo (n = 15) for four weeks. The measurement of outcomes was performed by the brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and positive and negative syndrome scales (PANSS) and scale for the assessment of negative symptoms (SANS) for all patients at baseline and end-line of study. Results: The pyridostigmine group compared with the placebo group showed significant decreased in the mean scores of SANS (P=0.0001). Also, the decline in negative symptom of PANSS scores was reported in case group, significantly (p = 0.03), while PANSS scores for positive and general symptoms and as well as BPRS scores were not significant in each groups. Conclusion: The adding pyridostigmine with 2 generation of antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia patients had suitable effects on negative symptoms.

Keywords: pyridostigmine, schizophrenia, negative symptoms, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.