Nicotinergic Agents in Clinical Study for Schizophrenia as an Adjunct Antipsychotic

[ILADVOCATE]

This information explains how a new class of adjunct antipsychotics is being researched from understanding the effects of nicotine on people with schizophrenia

"Research as a potential basis for an antipsychotic agent

However, when the metabolites of nicotine were isolated and their effect on first the animal brain and then the human brain in people with schizophrenia were studied, it was shown that the effects helped with cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Therefore, the nicotinergic agents, as antipsychotics which do not contain nicotine but act on the same receptors in the brain are showing promise as adjunct antipsychotics in early stages of FDA studies on schizophrenia. The prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a phenomenon in which a weak prepulse attenuates the response to a subsequent startling stimulus. Therefore, PPI is believed to have face, construct, and predictive validity for the PPI disruption in schizophrenia, and it is widely used as a model to study the neurobiology of this disorder and for screening antipsychotics. Additionally, studies have shown that there are genes predisposing people with schizophrenia to nicotine use
Therefore with these factors taken together the heavy usage of cigarettes and other nicotine related products among people with schizophrenia may be explained and novel antipsychotic agents developed that have these effects in a manner that is not harmful and controlled and is a promising arena of research for schizophrenia."

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes well it definitely will be worthwhile to see research continue in this area and advance to the point of an FDA approved medication.

[rudicollis]

I'm schizophrenic and I smoke about a pack a day.  I recently did a lot of research on this subject.  It really really helps me stay focused and calm.  If I have any kind of long withdrawal from cigarettes it makes my symptoms worse.  Currently, my psychiatrist says that I shouldn't quit smoking.

[drifter0213]

i smoke like a fish i think that it's a relief to chain-smoke ciggarettes it helps with anxiety also :)

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I heard about people with schizophrenia who smoke have some symptoms alleviated to an extent.  Would be interested in reading more into a study of this.  Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) I always have had airway problems my whole life so I never got into smoking.