Post by GoldenKeyRiver on May 12, 2016 7:20:34 GMT
NEW YORK ― Warfarin has been linked to a decrease in and even long-term remission of psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, preliminary research suggests.
A study examining adults at an anticoagulation clinic for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) showed that 5 patients who also had schizophrenia and who received long-term treatment with warfarin for recurrent DVT achieved full psychosis remission. In addition, these patients remained free of any psychotropic medication for 2 to 11 years.
The investigators note that the underlying mechanism could be tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA), a protein that not only promotes the dissolution of blood clots but also plays a role in neurogenesis after severe stress.
"Our findings suggest that normalization of [tPA] function may induce long-term remission of psychotic symptoms," they write.
However, lead author Silvia Hoirisch-Clapauch, MD, a hematologist specializing in vascular medicine at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, told Medscape Medical News that she is not (yet) suggesting that psychiatrists should start prescribing warfarin for these patients.
"What we found seems to make sense, but we need other scientists to help us to search for markers in a population with schizophrenia that is medication naive," said Dr. Hoirisch-Clapauch. She added that larger studies, including randomized controlled trials, are also needed to clarify exactly how and if anticoagulation should be used in the treatment of psychosis.
The findings were presented here at the American Psychiatric Association's (APA's) 2014 Annual Meeting.
More Than a Coincidence
Warfarin, an anticoagulant medication, is commonly used to treat DVT and other clotting disorders.
Dr. Silvia Hoirisch-Clapauch
Dr. Hoirisch-Clapauch reported that her university's anticoagulation clinic takes care of patients with repeated episodes of DVT, including approximately 350 who are on long-term warfarin therapy.
While providing care for these patients, she noticed that the 5 who also had schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders achieved psychiatric remission and became "psychotropic free."
A study examining adults at an anticoagulation clinic for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) showed that 5 patients who also had schizophrenia and who received long-term treatment with warfarin for recurrent DVT achieved full psychosis remission. In addition, these patients remained free of any psychotropic medication for 2 to 11 years.
The investigators note that the underlying mechanism could be tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA), a protein that not only promotes the dissolution of blood clots but also plays a role in neurogenesis after severe stress.
"Our findings suggest that normalization of [tPA] function may induce long-term remission of psychotic symptoms," they write.
However, lead author Silvia Hoirisch-Clapauch, MD, a hematologist specializing in vascular medicine at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, told Medscape Medical News that she is not (yet) suggesting that psychiatrists should start prescribing warfarin for these patients.
"What we found seems to make sense, but we need other scientists to help us to search for markers in a population with schizophrenia that is medication naive," said Dr. Hoirisch-Clapauch. She added that larger studies, including randomized controlled trials, are also needed to clarify exactly how and if anticoagulation should be used in the treatment of psychosis.
The findings were presented here at the American Psychiatric Association's (APA's) 2014 Annual Meeting.
More Than a Coincidence
Warfarin, an anticoagulant medication, is commonly used to treat DVT and other clotting disorders.
Dr. Silvia Hoirisch-Clapauch
Dr. Hoirisch-Clapauch reported that her university's anticoagulation clinic takes care of patients with repeated episodes of DVT, including approximately 350 who are on long-term warfarin therapy.
While providing care for these patients, she noticed that the 5 who also had schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders achieved psychiatric remission and became "psychotropic free."