EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF AN OPIATE SIGMA-RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST (SL-82.0715) IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS WITH NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS - AN OPEN DOSE-RANGE STUDY

The psychotomimetic effects of opiate agonists/antagonists led to the hypothesis that opiate sigma receptors could be involved in the etiolo gy of schizophrenia. This assumption is supported by animal trials wit h selective sigma-receptor antagonists. SL 82.0715 is a substance with a highly selective affinity for sigma receptors. To clarify the quest ion whether it improves negative symptoms of schizophrenia, ten chroni c schizophrenic patients with a predominant negative symptomatology we re examined and treated with increasing doses (2.5-10.0 mg/d). Psychop athology was evaluated weekly using the PANSS, BPRS, and CGI, side-eff ects were assessed by the HAS and the S/A scale. Four patients showed improvement of negative symptoms (two slight, two marked improvement), two patients deteriorated as regards the positive symptomatolgy, psyc hopathology in the other patients did not change. The tolerability of SL 82.0715 was very good, no extrapyramidal side-effects occurred. To further evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, open studies with a larger number of patients and/or double-blind studies are necessary.