Potential benefits of combining two long-acting injectable antipsychotic: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of two long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIA) in psychiatric disorders, especially in schizophrenia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-three patients treated with dual LAIA were included in the study by retrospective screening from the hospital registration system. The present study was designed as an observational, retrospective, naturalistic mirror-image study. The number of hospitalizations before and after switching to dual LAIA was compared in patients who received oral antipsychotics and single LAIA during the study period. In addition, it was analyzed which was the preferred dual antipsychotic combination. RESULTS: Of the patients, 44.6% had schizophrenia, 41.0% had schizoaffective disorder, and 14.4% had other psychiatric disorders. The number of patients receiving oral treatment prior to dual LAIA use was 80 (96.4%). Data on dual LAIA regimens showed that 31.3% were receiving paliperidone and aripiprazole, 24.1% were receiving paliperidone and flupenthixol, 18.1% were receiving paliperidone and zuclopenthixol, and 26.5% were receiving the other combinations. After dual LAIA treatment, there was a significant decrease in the number of hospitalizations compared to before (from 5.95 to 0.99, p<0.001). In addition, while the number of patients who did not require hospitalization in the pre-treatment period was 10.8%, it reached 48.1% in the post-treatment period (p<0.001). No significant adverse effect related to the use of dual LAIA was observed in any patient during the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: The use of dual LAIA instead of oral antipsychotics or single LAIA in chronic psychotic patients with poor social support and irregular medication use is thought to reduce hospitalization and related treatment costs and regularize medication use.

Effects of methylphenidate treatment on the cerebellum in adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between the use of methylphenidate (MPH) and changes in creatine, choline, and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), striatum, cerebellum, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 60 patients 18-60 years of age who met the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) for ADHD. The amounts of NAA, creatine, and choline in the ACC, cerebellum, striatum, and DLPFC were measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After the first measurement, the patients were given 10 mg oral MPH, and the same metabolite levels were measured 30 minutes later. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the NAA and choline levels in the DLPFC, ACC, cerebellum, and striatum after MPH. Although there were no significant differences in the creatine levels in the DLPFC, ACC, and striatum after MPH, the creatine level in the cerebellum increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that MPH affects the cerebellum in adult ADHD. Therefore, we suggest that, due to its effects on the cerebellum, MPH can be used in adult ADHD not only for attention deficit symptoms but also for hyperactivity symptoms.

Relationship between the SNAP-25 gene and the effects of methylphenidate on the anterior cingulate cortex of patients with adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of certain genetic alterations in the brain function of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remain unclear and, in fact, there is a limited amount of data in this field. For example, the relationship between the SNAP-25 polymorphism and brain metabolites in response to methylphenidate (MPH) has yet to be investigated. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between changes in creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of adults with ADHD and the SNAP-25 gene polymorphism following the use of MPH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study assessed 60 patients between 18 and 60 years of age who were diagnosed with ADHD according to criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV). Genetic analyses were carried out using blood samples obtained from the ADHD patients and included a detailed clinical evaluation for the SNAP-25 gene polymorphism. The NAA, Cr, and Cho levels in the ACC and PFC were measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Following the evaluation, 10 mg of oral MPH was given to the patients, and the same metabolite levels were measured after 30 minutes. RESULTS: The levels of NAA, Cr, and Cho in the PFC and ACC of patients with the SNAP-25 Ddel and Mnll polymorphism genotypes did not significantly differ before and after the administration of MPH. However, in patients with the SNAP-25 Ddel polymorphism T/T genotype and the Mnll polymorphism G/G genotype, there was a significant increase in NAA levels in the ACC after MPH treatment compared with before MPH treatment. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that the SNAP-25 Ddel and Mnll polymorphisms might be associated with MPH-related changes in NAA levels in the ACC.

Relationship between the DAT1 gene and the effects of methylphenidate administration in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationship between DAT1 gene polymorphisms and the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) administration on N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline (Cho) levels in the anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum in adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This was the first study to investigate the relationship between DAT gene variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphisms and the responses of brain metabolites to MPH. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Samples in this study were collected from 60 patients aged between 18 and 60 years with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria. Genetic analysis of DAT1 gene polymorphisms was carried out using blood samples obtained after a detailed clinical evaluation. Levels of NAA, Cr, and Cho were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. After this evaluation, 10 mg of MPH was given orally to patients, and the levels of the same metabolites were measured 30 min later. RESULTS: No marked difference in NAA, Cr, or Cho levels was detected before and after MPH administration with respect to the DAT1 gene VNTR polymorphisms. A considerable increase in Cr levels in the cerebellum was identified after MPH administration in individuals with the 10/10 repeat genotype as the DAT1 VNTR polymorphism (p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the previously decreased blood flow after MPH therapy may induce an increase in creatine levels in patients with the 10/10 repeat genotype. Our results thus suggest that the 10R allele as the DAT1 gene VNTR polymorphism might be associated with MPH-related changes in brain metabolites in adults with ADHD.