No changes of cardiometabolic and body composition parameters after 6-month add-on treatment with sarcosine in patients with schizophrenia

Psychiatry Res. 2015 Dec 15;230(2):200-4. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.08.040. Epub 2015 Sep 1.

Abstract

This study was undertaken with the purpose to determine if there are changes in metabolic parameters during 6-month add-on treatment with sarcosine in patients with schizophrenia. This was a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled and parallel group study. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive 2g of sarcosine (n=30) or placebo (n=29). Sarcosine was administered as supplementation to the ongoing antipsychotic treatment. Augmentation with sarcosine had no effect on any of the analyzed cardiometabolic parameters. Also, augmentation with sarcosine had no effect on any of the analyzed body composition parameters. This is the first randomized placebo-controlled study to examine the metabolic safety of sarcosine in patients with schizophrenia. Clinically, this observation is of high importance considering how prevalent are metabolic abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia.

Keywords: Metabolic syndrome; Sarcosine; Schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Body Composition / drug effects*
  • Body Composition / physiology
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electric Impedance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Sarcosine / administration & dosage*
  • Schizophrenia / blood*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Blood Glucose
  • Lipids
  • Sarcosine