Predictors of treatment response from a first episode of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Objective: This study examined the treatment response of patients with first-episode schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and potential predictors of response.

Method: First-episode patients were assessed on measures of psychopathology, cognition, social functioning, and biological parameters and treated according to a standardized algorithm.

Results: One hundred eighteen patients (52% male, mean age 25.

Predictors of relapse following response from a first episode of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Background: We examined relapse after response to a first episode of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Methods: Patients with first-episode schizophrenia were assessed on measures of psychopathologic variables, cognition, social functioning, and biological variables and treated according to a standardized algorithm. The sample for the relapse analyses consisted of 104 patients who responded to treatment of their index episode and were at risk for relapse.

The behavioral effect of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) and methylphenidate in first-episode schizophrenia and normal controls.

Although there has been renewed interest in the serotonin (5-HT) system in schizophrenia, direct evidence for 5-HT dysfunction is limited. This study compares the responses of m-chlorophenyl-piperazine (mCPP), a 5-HT agonist, in first-episode schizophrenia and a known psychotogenic dopamine agonist, methylphenidate. Eighteen patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis and eight healthy controls received methylphenidate (0.

Incidence and correlates of tardive dyskinesia in first episode of schizophrenia.

Background: There is controversy over whether tardive dyskinesia (TD) is solely a consequence of antipsychotic drug treatment or in part may reflect an intrinsic aspect of the disease process. Pathophysiologic factors could, independently or in concert with drug effects, lead to the development of dyskinetic signs.

Methods: We studied prospectively 118 patients in their first episode of psychosis who were treatment-naive or had less than 12 weeks of antipsychotic drug exposure at study entry.

Psychobiologic correlates of treatment response in schizophrenia.

In studies conducted on largely treatment naive patients in their first episode of psychosis, we have found that treatment outcome is quite good and that most patients recover or at least achieve a substantial degree of symptom remission. However, over the course of their illness and in the context of subsequent psychotic episodes, they may experience some decrease in their treatment response from illness progression. In addition, the heterogeneity of treatment outcome is associated with specific clinical (gender, primary negative symptoms of the deficit state, duration of psychosis) and biological variables (pHVA, ventricular volume).