INTERFERON-A AS ADJUVANT TREATMENT IN CHRONIC-SCHIZOPHRENIA

The therapeutic use of interferon (IFN)-alpha administered as adjuvant medication in chronic schizophrenia was investigated. Natural leukocy te IFN-alpha was given to 9 long-term hospitalized chronic schizophren ic patients daily as subcutaneous injection of 3 million units 5 times a week. The trial followed a placebo-controlled double-blind crossove r design. Each treatment period lasted for 8 weeks with a 2-week washo ut period in between. IFN-alpha did not prove to be beneficial for the total group of patients. Yet, 3 patients improved during the IFN-alph a drug period. The clinical improvement was seen as better social comp etence and less affective tension in the ward surroundings.