Psychiatry - Research Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11343/232

Filters

2021 - 2022 2
2
Reset filters

Settings
Statistics
Citations
Author: Berk, Michael × Author: Rossell, Susan × End date: 2022 × Start date: 2020 ×

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Schizophrenia Resistant to Clozapine: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Targeting Negative Symptoms
    Neill, E ; Rossell, SL ; Yolland, C ; Meyer, D ; Galletly, C ; Harris, A ; Siskind, D ; Berk, M ; Bozaoglu, K ; Dark, F ; Dean, OM ; Francis, PS ; Liu, D ; Phillipou, A ; Sarris, J ; Castle, DJ (OXFORD UNIV PRESS, 2022-11-18)
    BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, yet a significant proportion of individuals on clozapine continue to experience disabling symptoms, despite being treated with an adequate dose. There is a need for adjunct treatments to augment clozapine, notably for negative and cognitive symptoms. One such potential agent is the glutathione precursor N-acetylcysteine (NAC). STUDY DESIGN: A randomized double-blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled trial for clozapine patients with enduring psychotic symptoms (n = 84) was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of adjunctive NAC (2 g daily) for negative symptoms, cognition and quality of life (QoL). Efficacy was assessed at 8, 24, and 52 weeks. STUDY RESULTS: NAC did not significantly improve negative symptoms (P = .62), overall cognition (P = .71) or quality of life (Manchester quality of life: P = .11; Assessment of quality of life: P = .57) at any time point over a 1-year period of treatment. There were no differences in reported side effects between the groups (P = .26). CONCLUSIONS: NAC did not significantly improve schizophrenia symptoms, cognition, or quality of life in treatment-resistant patients taking clozapine. This trial was registered with "Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials" on the 30 May, 2016 (Registration Number: ACTRN12615001273572).
  • Item
    No Preview Available
    Genetics of methamphetamine use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analyses of gene association studies
    Guerin, AA ; Nestler, EJ ; Berk, M ; Lawrence, AJ ; Rossell, SL ; Kim, JH (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2021-01)
    Genetic susceptibility to methamphetamine use disorder is poorly understood. No twin or adequately powered genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been conducted. However, there are a large number of hypothesis-driven candidate gene association studies, which were systematically reviewed herein. Seventy-six studies were identified, investigating markers of 75 different genes. Allele frequencies, odds ratios, 95 % confidence intervals and power were calculated. Risk of bias was also assessed as a quality measure. Meta-analyses were conducted for gene markers if three or more studies were available. Eleven markers from adequately powered studies were significantly associated with methamphetamine use disorder, with Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) representing promising targets. Limitations of these studies include unclear rationale for candidate gene selection, low power and high risk of bias. Future research should include replications to enable more meta-analyses, well-powered GWASs or whole exome or genome sequencing, as well as twin and family studies to further complement the findings of this review to uncover genetic contributions toward methamphetamine use disorder.