Maintenance Treatment vs. Stepwise Drug Discontinuation in First-Episode Schizophrenia

Maintenance Treatment vs. Stepwise Drug Discontinuation After One Year of Maintenance Treatment in First-Episode Schizophrenia

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, German Research Network On Schizophrenia, Janssen-Cilag Ltd., University of Bonn, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Ludwig-Maximilians - University of Munich, University of Göttingen, University of Cologne, Mainz University, University Hospital Tuebingen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, University of Mannheim, University of Jena, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, RWTH Aachen University, University of Wuerzburg

After one year neuroleptic maintenance treatment in patients with first episode schizophrenia, neuroleptic treatment will be continued vs. stepwise discontinued (randomized design) over a period of 1 year. Under both conditions prodrome based early intervention take place.

After one year neuroleptic maintenance treatment in patients with first episode schizophrenia, neuroleptic treatment will be continued vs. stepwise discontinued (randomized design) over a period of 1 year. Under both conditions pharmacologic early intervention strategies in case of early sign of relapse will be applied.

Schizophrenia, first episode, neuroleptic maintenance treatment, drug discontinuation, prodrome based early intervention

stepwise drug discontinuation (after 1 year maintenance antipsychotic treatment) and prodrome-based early intervention

maintained antipsychotic treatment (in low dose) vs. stepwise drug discontinuation; both supplemented by prodrome-based early intervention; 1 year

Inclusion Criteria: Patients after 1 year of maintenance treatment after their first-episode in schizophrenia (according ICD-10 F20) Age between 18 and 55 Informed consent One year neuroleptic maintenance treatment Reaching stable course Exclusion Criteria: Residence outside of the catchment area Legal reasons Insufficient knowledge of the german language Substance abuse or addiction Pregnancy Serious physical illness Organic brain disease Contraindication to neuroleptic treatment

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf, Rhineland State Clinics Düsseldorf, Bergische Landstraße 2, 40629 Düsseldorf, Germany

German Research Network on Schizophrenia, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf

Gaebel W, Moller HJ, Buchkremer G, Ohmann C, Riesbeck M, Wolwer W, Von Wilmsdorff M, Bottlender R, Klingberg S. Pharmacological long-term treatment strategies in first episode schizophrenia--study design and preliminary results of an ongoing RCT within the German Research Network on Schizophrenia. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004 Apr;254(2):129-40. doi: 10.1007/s00406-004-0509-y.

Seemuller F, Schennach R, Mayr A, Musil R, Jager M, Maier W, Klingenberg S, Heuser I, Klosterkotter J, Gastpar M, Schmitt A, Schlosser R, Schneider F, Ohmann C, Lewitzka U, Gaebel W, Moller HJ, Riedel M; German Study Group on First-Episode Schizophrenia. Akathisia and suicidal ideation in first-episode schizophrenia. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2012 Oct;32(5):694-8. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0b013e3182677958.

Gaebel W, Riesbeck M, Wolwer W, Klimke A, Eickhoff M, von Wilmsdorff M, Lemke M, Heuser I, Maier W, Huff W, Schmitt A, Sauer H, Riedel M, Klingberg S, Kopcke W, Ohmann C, Moller HJ; German Study Group on First-Episode Schizophrenia. Relapse prevention in first-episode schizophrenia--maintenance vs intermittent drug treatment with prodrome-based early intervention: results of a randomized controlled trial within the German Research Network on Schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry. 2011 Feb;72(2):205-18. doi: 10.4088/JCP.09m05459yel. Epub 2010 Jun 29.

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