ABSTRACT
Adenosine has been proposed to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizoprenia and as a target for therapeutic intervention. In the lack of direct adenosine agonists, allopurinol may indirectly elevate adenosine levels by inhibiting degradation of purines. We report two cases of poorly responsive schizophrenic patients who improved considerably with add-on allopurinol 300 mg/day. Their clear clinical improvement warrant further investigation of allopurinol, as well as other purinergic strategies, for the treatment of schizophrenia.
Subject(s)
Allopurinol/administration & dosage , Antipsychotic Agents/administration & dosage , Schizophrenia/drug therapy , Adult , Drug Interactions , Drug Therapy, Combination , Humans , Male , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Schizophrenic Psychology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The authors review environmental and neurodevelopmental risk factors for schizophrenic disorders, with emphasis on minor physical anomalies, particularly craniofacial anomalies and dermatoglyphic variations. The high prevalence of these anomalies among schizophrenic subjects supports the neurodevelopmental theory of the etiology of schizophrenia, since they suggest either genetically or epigenetically controlled faulty embryonic development of structures of ectodermal origin like brain and skin. This may disturb neurodevelopment that in turn may cause these subjects to be at increased risk for the development of schizophrenia and related disorders. The precise confirmation of this theory, at least in some cases, will provide further understanding of these illnesses, allowing easy and inexpensive identification of subjects at risk and providing guidelines for the development of new pharmacological interventions for early treatment and even for primary prevention of the illness.
Subject(s)
Craniofacial Abnormalities/complications , Developmental Disabilities/complications , Schizophrenia/etiology , Social Environment , Brain Diseases/pathology , Child , Dermatoglyphics , Female , Humans , Male , Nutritional Status , Obstetric Labor Complications , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Infectious , Risk Factors , SeasonsABSTRACT
The authors review environmental and neurodevelopmental risk factors for schizophrenic disorders, with emphasis on minor physical anomalies, particularly craniofacial anomalies and dermatoglyphic variations. The high prevalence of these anomalies among schizophrenic subjects supports the neurodevelopmental theory of the etiology of schizophrenia, since they suggest either genetically or epigenetically controlled faulty embryonic development of structures of ectodermal origin like brain and skin. This may disturb neurodevelopment that in turn may cause these subjects to be at increased risk for the development of schizophrenia and related disorders. The precise confirmation of this theory, at least in some cases, will provide further understanding of these illnesses, allowing easy and inexpensive identification of subjects at risk and providing guidelines for the development of new pharmacological interventions for early treatment and even for primary prevention of the illness
