Relation of neurological soft signs to psychiatric symptoms in schizophrenia.

Introduction: Although several studies have identified abnormal rates of neurological soft signs (NSS) as a manifestation of CNS dysfunction in schizophrenia, differences in sample populations have contributed to a discrepancy in empirical findings. Furthermore, little is known about the potential of NSS to predict a clinical response to antipsychotic medications. The present study tests the associations between NSS and schizophrenia symptomatology and examines NSS as a potential marker for predicting treatment response.

A placebo controlled, double-blind study of mecamylamine treatment for cocaine dependence in patients enrolled in an opiate replacement program.

A placebo controlled, double-blind trial of mecamylamine treatment of cocaine dependence was performed in methadone or LAAM maintained subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for cocaine dependence. After an eight-week placebo run-in screening period, 35 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either mecamylamine (6 mg/day) or placebo transdermal patches for a 16-week treatment period. Outcome measures included quantitative urine benzoylecognine (BE) levels, self-report of cocaine use, cocaine craving, global impression scores, mood, retention, and safety.

A placebo-controlled screening trial of celecoxib for the treatment of cocaine dependence.

Aims: To conduct a medication screening trial study on the efficacy of celecoxib versus placebo for the treatment of cocaine dependence.

Design: A modified blinded, parallel group study in an outpatient setting using the Cocaine Rapid Efficacy and Safety Trials (CREST) study design.

Setting: The study was performed at the New York Medications Development Research Unit (MDRU).

Effects of D-cycloserine on negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Introduction: The negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are poorly responsive to neuroleptic treatment. Glutamatergic dysfunction may mediate some of these symptoms. Low dose D-cycloserine (DCS) is a partial agonist at the glycine site of the NMDA-associated receptor complex, noncompetitively enhancing NMDA neurotransmission.