Bitopertin Not Effective for Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Although the investigatory drug doesn't work, the study highlights the importance of clinician–patient interactions in improving negative symptoms.

Deficits in the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) signaling have been associated with negative symptoms of schizophrenia, and preliminary data suggest that drugs that enhance activity of glycine (a co-agonist linked to the NMDAR) can improve negative symptoms (NEJM JW Psychiatry Jun 2014 and JAMA Psychiatry 2014; 71:637). In view of this evidence, the manufacturer of the investigatory drug bitopertin, an inhibitor of glycine transporter type 1 (i.e., a glycine reuptake inhibitor), conducted three 24-week, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of various bitopertin doses in patients with stable schizophrenia and persistent negative symptoms.

All patients were treated with antipsychotic drugs (excluding clozapine). After an interim analysis d…

Reviewing Author

Steven Dubovsky, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportTower Foundation; Patrick Lee Foundation; Boehringer Ingelheim; Intra-Cellular Therapies; Janssen; Biogen; Allergan

Editorial BoardsMind and Brain; Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic; Current Psychiatry; Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Steven Dubovsky, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportTower Foundation; Patrick Lee Foundation; Boehringer Ingelheim; Intra-Cellular Therapies; Janssen; Biogen; Allergan

Editorial BoardsMind and Brain; Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic; Current Psychiatry; Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Bitopertin Not Effective for Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

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Reviewing Author