Citalopram as an adjuvant in schizophrenia: further evidence for a serotonergic dimension in schizophrenia

Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1997 Jan;12(1):31-5. doi: 10.1097/00004850-199701000-00004.

Abstract

There is increasing evidence suggesting that symptoms of depression and anxiety may also be associated with serotonergic dysfunction in schizophrenic patients. The effect of the adjuvant selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram was assessed regarding the symptom dimensions of schizophrenia measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Citalopram alleviated symptoms of the depression/anxiety dimension of the PANSS, but not the symptoms of the four other PANSS domains or depressive symptoms measured with the HRSD. The results support the hypothesis of a serotonergic dimension in schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chronic Disease
  • Citalopram / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Serotonin / physiology*

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Citalopram
  • Serotonin