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B-HT 920 - ANovel Dopamine Autoreceptor Agonist in the TreatmentofPatientswithSchizophrenia K. Wiedemann/, O. Benkerr. F. Holsboe,J Dept. ofPsychiatry, University ofFreiburg, FRG Dept. ofPsychiatry, UniversityofMainz, FRG

Summary In an open c1inical trial the azepine derivative B-HT 920 was administered to patients with schizophrenia, paranoid type (according to ICD-9 and DSM-III criteria), in order to examine whether dopamine autoreceptor stimulation exerts antipsychotic effects. Twelve patients participated in the study and received the test drug orally for up to 28 days in a dose range from 0.3 to 1.2 mg/day. The following results emerged: in four patients a significant amelioration (reduction of initial BPRS scores by more than 50 %) of psychotic symptomatology was observed; eight patients remained without improvement of psychopathology. Psychomotor activation was observed in seven patients, and prompted termination of the trial in two cases. No other marked adverse effeets of B-HT 920 were noted, inc1uding EEG, ECG, and c1inical chemistry parameters. As it was to be expected from the pharmacology of B-HT 920, plasma prolactin concentrations were significantly reduced two hours after oral application of a single dose of the drug. It remains to be c1arified whether chronic treatment with B-HT 920 induces antipsychotic efficacy within as yet unidentified subsampies of schizophrenie patients. The observed activating effects of B-HT 920 may focus future investigative efforts toward study sampies where negative symptoms predominate.

Introduction The antipsychotic effect of dopamine (DA)-receptor blocking agents has implicated enhanced dopaminergic neurotransmission as a factor mediating psychotic symptomatology (Carlsson et al., 1978). Following the development of c1assic neuroleptics such as dopamine-receptor blocking butyrophenones and phenothiazines, more recent research has focussed on alternative strategies to decrease dopaminerPharrnacopsychiat. 23 (1990) 50-55

B-HT 920--a novel dopamine autoreceptor agonist in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia.

In an open clinical trial the azepine derivative B-HT 920 was administered to patients with schizophrenia, paranoid type (according to ICD-9 and DSM-I...
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