A meta-analysis of the response to chronic L-dopa in patients with schizophrenia: therapeutic and heuristic implications.
Psychopharmacology (Berl)
; 171(4): 365-74, 2004 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14668973
ABSTRACT
RATIONALE While it is generally believed that administration of the dopamine precursor levodopa ( L-dopa) exacerbates symptoms of schizophrenia, numerous reports suggest that adjunctive L-dopa may be beneficial. This body of literature has not been critically reviewed. OBJECTIVES:
On the basis of published studies, to determine whether L-dopa administered concomitantly with antipsychotic drugs provides a beneficial response in patients with schizophrenia.METHODS:
This review examined 30 studies involving 716 patients. Due to wide methodological variability and limited statistical information, only five studies encompassing 160 patients could be included in a meta-analysis. The others were evaluated qualitatively.RESULTS:
When L-dopa was added to antipsychotic drugs, the overall improvement was moderate ( d=0.71) and highly significant ( P<0.0001). There were 16 other studies in which L-dopa was added to antipsychotic drugs, but which did not meet criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. In these, worsening occurred in less than 20% of patients; the percentage of improved patients varied widely but had a central tendency around 50%.CONCLUSIONS:
. In patients already on antipsychotic drugs, the addition of L-dopa can be beneficial. Dopamine agonists merit further consideration as adjuncts to antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Schizophrenia
/
Levodopa
/
Clinical Trials as Topic
Type of study:
Systematic_reviews
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Psychopharmacology (Berl)
Year:
2004
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States