Beneficial effect of the addition of the 5-HT 2A/2C and alpha 2 antagonistmianserin to ongoing haloperidol treatment in drug-resistant chronically hospitalized schizophrenic patients

Atypical neuroleptics that block serotonin 2A (5-HT 2A) and dopamine 2 (D2) receptors have been shown to possess efficacious antipsychotic activity. W e assessed the efficacy of the addition of the 5-HT 2A/2C and alpha 2 antag onist mianserin to ongoing haloperidol treatment in chronically hospitalize d (>10 years) drug-resistant schizophrenic patients (N = 12). The patients were assessed at baseline and every three months for one year with the Brie f Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impression. Results show ed a significant (but < 10%) improvement in the core symptoms of schizophre nia; however, only the reduction (by 43%) in anxiety was clinically relevan t (P < 0.0001). The beneficial effect of mianserin may be related to the co mbined blockade of 5-HT 2A and histamine (H1) receptors. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.