Randomized Double Blind Placebo Control Study in Patients with Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms and cognitive deficits are two partially-related features of schizophrenia which have a major negative impact on social function and objective quality of life. Evidence indicates that anti-inflammatory treatment may have beneficial effects in schizophrenia. From our preliminary randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in Pakistan and Brazil, it is indicated that addition of minocycline (an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug) for one year to treatment as usual (TAU) reduced negative symptoms and improved some cognitive measures (Chaudhry et al 2009).

Statins are primarily HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors also anti-inflammatory agents and known to decrease C-reactive protein (CRP). Higher levels of CRP (>0.50 mg/dl) are associated with marked negative symptoms and higher total PANSS scores in patients with schizophrenia. (Fan et al 2007)

Ondansetron, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 antagonist, is quite commonly used as an antiemetic in cancer patients (Marty et al 1990). There are several small trials suggesting that ondansetron as an adjunct to antipsychotics is effective in improving negative symptoms and memory in patients suffering from schizophrenia (Ahkonzadeh et al 2009, Levkovitz et al 2005 and Zhang et al 2006).

The Primary objective of this study is addition of ondansetron and /or simvastatin to TAU for patients with schizophrenia will result in improvement in negative symptoms

The Secondary objectives include:

• improvement in positive or other symptoms
• social functioning
• cognitive functions
• additive effects of ondansetron and simvastatin

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 18 to 65 years
• Patients will be recruited both from inpatients and outpatients.
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV TR) diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis not otherwise specified or schizophreniform disorder
• Competent and willing to give informed consent
• Stable on medication 4 weeks prior to baseline
• No planned medication change
• Able to take oral medication and likely to complete the required evaluations
• Female participants of child bearing age must be willing to use adequate contraceptives for the duration of the study, and, willing to have a pregnancy test pre treatment and at ten weekly intervals while on study medication,
• Not planning to relocate in the next 12 months

Exclusion criteria

• Relevant ICD 10 organic brain disease or neurological diagnoses (including ECG conduction abnormalities, neurological disorder, or an active seizure)
• Subjects who will meet the criteria for a DSM-IV TR diagnosis of alcohol or substance abuse (other than for nicotine) within the last month or the criteria for DSM-IV TR alcohol or substance dependence (other than for nicotine) within the last 6 months
• Any change of psychotropic medications within the previous 4 weeks
• Pregnant or lactating women and those of reproductive age without adequate contraception