The use of mGlu2/3 receptors as a new approach to treat schizophrenia: results of a randomized double-blind trial
Mosolov, S.N.; Smulevich, A.B.; Neznanov, N.G.; Tochilov, V.A.; Andreev, B.V.; Avedisova, A.S.; Bardenshteĭn, L.M.; Gurovich, I.I.; Reznik, A.M.; Zharkova, N.B.; Martenyi, F.
Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova 110(7): 16-23
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1997-7298 PMID: 20639852 Document Number: 647505
Glutamate neurotransmission has been considered as one of pathogenetic factors of schizophrenia though all antipsychotics widely used in modern psychiatric practice are dopamine antagonists. LY2140023 is a selective agonist for metabotropic glutamate 2/3 (mGlu2/3) receptors with antipsychotic effect. In the present study, we have assessed clinical efficacy of LY2140023 in patients with schizophrenia compared to the control group receiving olanzapine in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. The statistically significant reduction of positive and negative symptoms measured with the PANSS (p<0.001) was observed for both antipsychotics at week 4 of treatment compared to placebo. The treatment with LY2140023 was safe and well-tolerated; treated patients did not differ from the placebo group by hyperprolactinemia and extrapyramidal symptoms, and weight gain. The results suggest that the agonist for 2/3 (mGlu2/3) receptors has antipsychotic properties and provides a new, alternative to dopamine agonists, method for pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia.