Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Designated organic active ingredient containing – Having -c- – wherein x is chalcogen – bonded directly to...
Patent
1997-01-13
1999-06-15
Henley, III, Raymond
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Designated organic active ingredient containing
Having -c-, wherein x is chalcogen, bonded directly to...
A61K 31505
Patent
active
059122501
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the use of immunosuppressive agents for the treatment of schizophrenic disorders.
The schizophrenic disorders, as defined by DSM-III (the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 3rd edition) are mental disorders with a tendency towards chronicity which impairs functioning and which is characterized by psychotic symptoms involving disturbances of thinking, feeling and behavior.
Schizophrenia occurs worldwide. Although it is one of the most severe and prevalent mental disorders of well documented symptomatology and has been extensively investigated over the past decades, the etiology of this disease is still an enigma. Schizophrenic patients are mainly treated by chemotherapy with antipsychotic drugs, such as the neuroleptic drugs haloperidol and chlorpromazine. Electroconvulsive therapy is also used in some cases. However, individual response to each drug varies, and both chemotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy are not successful for many schizophrenic patients.
A series of biochemical findings have suggested that autoimmune elements might be implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia.sup.1-6. We recently detected autoimmune antibodies on platelets from schizophrenic patients which block dopamine uptake and cross-react with brain tissue.sup.4,6. In line with the hypothesis that autoimmune reaction against the dopamine receptor takes place in schizophrenia.sup.7.sub.1, we have further suggested that the onset of the schizophrenia may stem from binding of platelet autoantibodies to one of the dopamine receptors in the central nervous system (CNS).sup.4,6. However, the assumption that schizophrenia is an autoimmune disease has not been definitely ascertained as yet.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It has now been found in accordance with the present invention that mental patients with severe chronic schizophrenia, who did not respond to conventional treatments, may be successfully treated with azathioprine, a drug commonly used for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Treatment of patients has resulted in a remarkable improvement in the psychiatric state which correlated with a marked reduction in platelet-associated autoantibodies (PAA)
The present invention thus relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of schizophrenic disorders comprising as active ingredient an immunosuppressive agent together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The invention further relates to the use of an immunosuppressive agent for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of schizophrenic disorders.
In another embodiment the invention relates to a method of treatment of a schizophrenic patient which comprises administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of an immunosuppressive agent.
Any immunosuppressive agent may be used according to the invention. Among known immunosuppressive drugs that might be used in the invention are prednisone, methylprednisolone, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine. In a preferred embodiment, azathioprine is used.
The choice of the immunosuppressive agent, mode of administration, dosage and duration of the treatment will depend on the patient's individual response, his age, and severity of the disease. If necessary, a combination of two different immunosuppressive agents may be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A-B show 28-week scores of a schizophrenic patient during and after azathioprine treatment, as described in Example 1, wherein FIG. 1A shows scores of level of platelet-associated autoantibodies (PAA) presented in units of optical density (O.D.) per 10.sup.8 platelets in 1 ml; and FIG. 1B shows scores of psychiatric condition by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS): empty circles--positive syndrome scale; filled circles--negative syndrome scale; empty squares--general psychopathological scale; filled squares, summation of 3 scales.
FIGS. 2A-B show 14-week scores of a schizophrenic patient during and a
REFERENCES:
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Deckmann Michael
Shinitzky Meir
Henley III Raymond
Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd.
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