Does The Addition Of Divalproex Sodium ER To An Atypical Antipsychotic Drug (APD) Improve Cognition And Psychopathology In Outpatients With Schizophrenia (SCH) Or Schizoaffective Disorder (SAD)?

Cognitive function is one of the most critical deficits in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It has been found that cognitive dysfunction may be even more important than positive or negative symptoms in predicting functional outcomes such as community adjustment, ability to work, social interactions, and caretaker burden. Preclinical data from our laboratory provided the rationale for a clinical trial to test whether divalproex sodium ER can improve cognitive impairment in patients.

The major objective of this proposal is to test the hypothesis that the addition of divalproex sodium to an atypical antipsychotic drug other than clozapine will significantly improve: a) cognition; and b) psychopathology (positive, negative, and mood symptoms) in a double-blind, randomized trial of 6 weeks duration in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female, age 18-65
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Treated with olanzapine, aripiprazole, ziprasidone, quetiapine or risperidone monotherapy for at least three months prior to enrollment
• Able to provide written consent

Exclusion criteria

• Primary DSM-IV diagnosis other than schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Treatment with any antipsychotic other than olanzapine, aripiprazole, ziprasidone, quetiapine or risperidone in the past three months
• Treatment with a mood stabilizer or an antidepressant continuously in the past three months. Patients who have had it for less than two weeks continuously will be permitted to enter.
• Pregnant or lactating females