Aspirin as a treatment for schizophrenia

Based on research that suggested that inflammation plays a role in schizophrenia (see below), further research has been done to investigate whether aspirin could improve existing anti-psychotic treatment.¹

Seventy patients in total took part in the randomized, placebo-controlled trial. One group of patients received their normal anti-psychotic treatment plus placebo, while the other group received their normal anti-psychotic treatment along with 1000mg of aspirin per day. During a 3-month follow up, patients were assessed according to the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) - a medical scale used for measuring symptom severity of patients with schizophrenia. Researchers also tested the patients' cognitive function and changes in their immune systems.

Patients who took aspirin showed greater improvement in their PANNS scores, and therefore reduced the symptoms of schizophrenia. The reduction was greater in patients who have a more altered immune function. The researchers concluded that inflammation may be a potential new target for antipsychotic drug development.

¹ Laan W et al. Adjuvant aspirin therapy reduces symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders: results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 71: 520-7 (2010).
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Inflammation linked to metabolic syndrome and mental disorders

Recent results provide evidence that link inflammation with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and schizophrenia.¹ Metabolic syndrome is characterised by central obesity, raised blood pressure, sub-optimal cholesterol and triglyceride profiles, and raised blood glucose.

In the study, white blood cell count (WBC) was determined in 199 patients. Increased WBC strongly predicted the condition of metabolic syndrome. Further significant correlations were found between high WBC and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) - a rating scale which is used to measure psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, hallucinations and unusual behaviour.

The researchers concluded that WBC can be used as a marker to predict an increased risk for metabolic syndrome and more severe psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

¹ Fan X et al. Higher white blood cell counts are associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome and more severe psychopathology in non-diabetic patients with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research 118: 211-217 (2010).
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