Effects of Mianserin on Negative Symptoms of Chronic Schizophrenia

Jeon, Yang Whan; Bahk, Won Myong; Kim, Kwang Soo; Seo, Sang Won; Lee, Chung Tai; Lew, Tae Yul

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the mianserin effects on the negative symptoms of chronic schizophrenia. The chronic schizophrenics(N= 14) diagnosed by DSM-III-R, who were treated at the Catholic University St. Mary Hospital from March 1, 1993 to August 31, 1995, were divided into two groups. One group was composed of 7 patients who were treated with a single classical antipsychotic agent(monotherapy group, MG), and another was composed of 7 Patients treated with combined medications(combined therapy group, CG), including classical antipsychotics plus fixed dose of mianserin 30 mg/day at bed time. Symptoms were evaluated by BPRS(Brief psychiatric Rating Scale) and PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) biweekly for 6 weeks, i.e., total 4 times(at baseline, at 2 weeks, at 4 weeks, and at 6 weeks). The results were as follows: 1) Assessed by PANSS, the negative symptoms of CG were statistically significantly improved more than those of MG at 2 weeks, at 4 weeks, and at 6 weeks. 2) Assessed by PANSS, the positive symptoms of CG were not statistically different from those of MG. In both of CG and MG, there was no difference of the positive symptoms across time intervals. 3) Assessed by PANSS, the total symptoms of CG were statistically significantly improved more than those of MG at 2 weeks, at 4 weeks, and at 6 weeks. But, assessed by BPRS, the total symptoms of CG were not statistically different from those of MG. 4) Assessed by PANSS, the general psychopathology symptoms of CG were not statistically different from those of MG. In CG, the general psychopathology symptoms at 6 weeks were statistically significantly improved more than those of baseline. In summary, mianserin, when combined with classical antipsychotic agent, appears to be effective in diminishing negative symptoms of chronic schizophrenic patients. However, it did not influence positive symptoms.