Amelioration of negative symptoms in schizophrenia by glycine.

Javitt, D C; Zylberman, I; Zukin, S R; Heresco-Levy, U; Lindenmayer, J P · Am J Psychiatry · 1994

rct · Level II

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Abstract

Phencyclidine induces a psychotomimetic state by blocking neurotransmission at N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion, 14 medicated patients with chronic schizophrenia were treated with glycine, a potentiator of NMDA-receptor-mediated neurotransmission. Significant improvement in negative symptoms occurred in the group given glycine but not in the group given placebo, suggesting that potentiation of NMDA-receptor-mediated neurotransmission may represent an effective treatment for neuroleptic-resistant negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

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