Oxytocin for the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Background

Schizophrenia in its full expression is usually a devastating disorder and has a profound impact on family, social, and occupational life. A constant 1% worldwide lifetime incidence exists across all cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic boundaries. Patients with schizophrenia occupy as many as 25% of all hospital beds at any given time. The premature death may result from poor health maintenance, substance abuse, poverty, and homelessness. Total economic burden of schizophrenia in the U.S. was estimated at $62.7 billion. In addition to psychosis, cognitive impairments are a core component of schizophrenia that contributes significantly to the disability associated with this condition.

Technology Description

A UC San Diego Medical Center researcher has developed a new intranasally administered adjunctive antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia.

State Of Development

Researchers conducted a proof-of-concept clinical study demonstrating that oxytocin reduced psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia and improves aspects of cognition while being well tolerated (Feifel et al 2010 and unpublished data).

Related Materials

Feifel D, Macdonald K, Nguyen A, Cobb P, Warlan H, Galangue B, Minassian A, Becker O, Cooper J, Perry W, Lefebvre M, Gonzales J, Hadley A. Adjunctive Intranasal Oxytocin Reduces Symptoms in Schizophrenia Patients. Biol Psychiatry. 2010 Oct 1;68(7):678-80.

Patent Status