Update on the development of lurasidone as a treatment for patients with acute schizophrenia.

Lurasidone is a novel benzisothiazole antipsychotic drug for the treatment of schizophrenia. Of the antipsychotic drugs, lurasidone has the highest affinity for the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(7) receptor. Lurasidone also has high affinities for the dopamine D(2), 5HT(2A), 5-HT(1A) and α(2C) adrenergic receptors.

Body composition in patients with schizophrenia: Comparison with healthy controls.

Background: Recently, a relationship between obesity and schizophrenia has been reported. Although fat- mass and fat free mass have been shown to be more predictive of health risk than body mass index, there are limited findings about body composition among patients suffering from schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to compare the body composition of schizophrenia patients with that of healthy subjects in Japan.

Hydroxylation of R(+)- and S(-)-omeprazole after racemic dosing are different among the CYP2C19 genotypes.

Purpose: To elucidate the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of omeprazole enantiomers and their metabolites after racemic IV dosing because there is little information about the stereoselective metabolism of omeprazole in in vivo study.

Methods: Seventeen subjects were classified into three CYP2C19 groups based on their genotypes: homozygous extensive metabolizers (hmEMs; n = 5), heterozygous EMs (htEMs; n = 7) and poor metabolizers (PMs; n = 5).

Results: After single IV administration of racemic omeprazole (20 mg), the mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-∞)) of R(+)-omeprazole in PMs was significantly higher than that in hmEMs and htEMs, while that of S(-)-omeprazole was no significance among three genotypes because of a wide inter-individual variability.

Association between the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) polymorphism and the personality traits of healthy Japanese participants.

Background: Dopamine neurotransmitter systems have been associated with reward-related and novelty-seeking personality traits. We investigated the possible relationship between the personality traits measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) and the TaqI A and -141C Ins/Del polymorphisms in the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2).

Methods: The sample consisted of 1084 healthy Japanese medical students and medical staff (age=29.

Different effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline on the pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine in healthy volunteers.

Although the interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other drugs is important in the treatment of depression, there have been few studies of SSRIs concerning transporter-mediated interactions in humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of commonly used SSRIs on the pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine, a P-glycoprotein substrate.Twelve healthy volunteers (3 females and 9 males) were enrolled in this study.

Effect of age and disease on bone mass in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Background: There have been a limited number of studies comparing bone mass between patients with schizophrenia and the general population. The aim of this study was to compare the bone mass of schizophrenia patients with that of healthy subjects in Japan.

Methods: We recruited patients (n = 362), aged 48.

[Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale Japanese version (SCoRS-J) as a co-primary measure assessing cognitive function in schizophrenia].

The assessment of cognitive function is important for patients with schizophrenia because cognitive impairment is a core feature of the disease, and is a major determinant of functional outcome. To implement a practical assessment tool, we previously developed the Japanese-language version of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia that objectively measures cognitive domains relevant to outcome. Meanwhile, the U.

No association between hormonal abnormality and sexual dysfunction in Japanese schizophrenia patients treated with antipsychotics.

Objective: Although sexual dysfunction is believed to be caused by hormonal abnormalities, few reports have studied sexual dysfunction and its association with hormonal abnormalities in Asian populations with schizophrenia.

Methods: We employed a cross-sectional, case-control survey design to collect data from 191 (108 men) Japanese schizophrenia outpatients treated with antipsychotics and 182 (49 men) healthy subjects. Sexual dysfunction was evaluated using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser (UKU) Side Effect Rating Scale.

Paroxetine-associated hypereosinophilia may clinically resemble a panic attack.

Hypereosinophilia is asymptomatic but can induce organ damage, which may cause neurological system abnormalities. We recently encountered a 29-year-old woman with depressive episodes who had eosinophilia as well as hyperventilation attacks, tremor, insomnia, and arthralgia of extremities after receiving paroxetine treatment. In parallel with the decrease in paroxetine dose, eosinophil count decreased and the related symptoms improved.

The association between sunshine duration and paroxetine response time in patients with major depressive disorder.

Introduction: A recent study indicates that the serotonin transporter function varies with the duration of monthly sunshine. This finding may suggest that the efficacy of serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is associated with the duration of monthly sunshine, but information on this possible association is lacking.

Methods: Ninety-one Japanese subjects with depression completed a 6-week treatment with paroxetine.

Superoxide dismutase 2 Val16Ala polymorphism is a risk factor for the valproic acid-related elevation of serum aminotransferases.

The association between the superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) Val16Ala polymorphism and the serum aminotransferase levels was retrospectively investigated in 207 valproic acid-treated patients with epilepsy. The Val/Val genotype tended to show elevated alanine aminotransferase levels (odds ratio=3.5; P=0.

No association between bone mass and prolactin levels among patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: Decreased bone mineral density has been implicated in schizophrenic patients for long years. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between bone mass and prolactin levels in schizophrenic patients.

Methods: In this study, bone mass was measured using quantitative ultrasound densitometry of the calcaneus in 114 patients (49 males and 65 females).

The efficacy of low-dose aripiprazole treatment for trichotillomania.

This case report describes a 20-year-old man with trichotillomania (TTM). The patient was first treated with paroxetine and carbocisteine without response. Following the addition of aripiprazole (3 mg/d) to the other medications, the TTM was fully alleviated.

Inverse correlation between clinical response to paroxetine and plasma drug concentration in patients with major depressive disorders.

Objective: There are few data concerning a clear relationship between the clinical effect of paroxetine and plasma drug concentrations, although therapeutic ranges have been established for some tricyclic antidepressants.

Methods: In this study, 120 patients with major depressive disorders were treated with 10-40 mg/day of paroxetine for 6 weeks, and a total of 89 patients completed the protocol. A clinical evaluation using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) was performed at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks.

Hearing impairment and cognitive function among a community-dwelling population in Japan.

Background: Hearing impairment is a prevalent and chronic condition in older people. This study investigated the relationship between cognitive function and hearing impairment in a Japanese population.

Methods: A pure-tone average (0.

Carbamazepine differentially affects the pharmacokinetics of fexofenadine enantiomers.

Aim: This aim of this study was to characterize the impact of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inducer, carbamazepine, on fexofenadine enantiomer pharmacokinetics.

Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers initially received a 60mg dose of fexofenadine alone. Subsequently, a 100mg dose of carbamazepine was administered three times daily (300mg day(-1) ), and on day 7, fexofenadine was co-administered.

Comparison of prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hospital and community-based Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Background: Lifestyle factors, such as an unbalanced diet and lack of physical activity, may affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the MetS prevalence between inpatients and outpatients among schizophrenic population in Japan.

Methods: We recruited inpatients (n = 759) and outpatients (n = 427) with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder from 7 psychiatric hospitals using a cross-sectional design.

Depression increases the length of hospitalization for patients undergoing thoracic surgery: a preliminary study.

Objective: Surgical treatment, especially thoracic surgery, is a burdensome prospect for many patients. Depression-related anxiety, insomnia, and stress are common complaints in preoperative patients. Such depressive complaints are currently thought to affect the patients' physiological status.

Comparing the influence of dopamine D₂ polymorphisms and plasma drug concentrations on the clinical response to risperidone.

Although several studies have reported that dopamine D₂ receptor (DRD2) polymorphisms affect the therapeutic efficacy of antipsychotics, other studies have suggested that the plasma drug concentration is related to the clinical response. Currently, there are no definitive data regarding which factor has greater clinical significance. Sixty patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia received 6 mg/d of risperidone for 4 weeks.

Cognitive function among hemodialysis patients in Japan.

Background: Over 290,000 patients are undergoing hemodialysis (HD) in Japan. With old age, the odds of undergoing HD treatment sharply increase, as does the prevalence of cognitive impairment. The aim of the present work was to assess cognitive impairment in HD patients and its relation to clinical characteristics.

The influence of personality factors on paroxetine response time in patients with major depression.

Background: Determining the factors that predict antidepressant response and offering suitable treatments to people who suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD) is important. We investigated the personality factors that influence paroxetine treatment response by dividing antidepressant responders into two groups.

Methods: We treated 93 patients with MDD using 40 mg/day of paroxetine for six weeks.

Chiral assay of omeprazole and metabolites and its application to a pharmacokinetics related to CYP2C19 genotypes.

Studies investigating the relationship between CYP2C19 genotype and the stereoselective metabolism of omeprazole have not been reported. In the present study, we developed a simple and sensitive analytical method based on column switching reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection to determine the concentrations of (R)- and (S)-omeprazole and of its principal metabolites, (R)- and (S)-5-hydroxyomeprazole, and the non-chiral, omeprazole sulfone, in human plasma. Sample preparation involved liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether:dichloromethane (60:40, v/v) followed by clean-up on a TSK BSA-ODS/S column (5 μm, 10 mm × 4.

Association between plasma paroxetine concentration and changes in plasma brain‐derived neurotrophic factor levels in patients with major depressive disorder.

Recent studies have implicated brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of depression and in the activities of antidepressant drugs. Serum BDNF levels are lower in depressed patients and increase in response to antidepressant medications; however, no studies have examined the association between plasma concentrations of antidepressant drugs and plasma BDNF levels. We assessed plasma BDNF levels and paroxetine concentrations in 45 patients with major depression who were being treated with paroxetine.