Two of the major features of schizophrenia spectrum illness, negative and cognitive symptoms, have been associated with poor functional outcome and burden of illness. Given the proposed role of dopaminergic hypoactivity, augmentation with psychostimulants has been postulated as one of the potential treatment options for negative and/or cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. The major drawback for use of these agents is a potential risk of relapse or worsening of psychosis through direct or indirect dopamine agonism activity and a great deal of caution has been called for use of stimulants in individuals with psychosis. However, preliminary results of earlier studies indicated improvement of negative and cognitive symptoms with off-label use of adjunctive psychostimulants. The present study aims to assess off-label use of adjunct psychostimulants in patients with schizophrenia in a tertiary mental health centre, focusing on efficacy and safety.
1 Primary · 1 Secondary · Reporting Duration: The PANSS-6 will be completed at all time points (baseline, weeks 1-8, and at follow-up at week 12.
Active Control
Experimental Treatment
24 Total Participants · 2 Treatment Groups
Primary Treatment: Apo-Methylphenidate ER arm · No Placebo Group · Phase 2
Age 18 - 55 · All Participants · 4 Total Inclusion Criteria
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