Placebo-Controlled Trial of d-Cycloserine Added to Conventional Neuroleptics, Olanzapine, or Risperidone in Schizophrenia

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the clinical effects of d-cycloserine when added to treatment with conventional neuroleptics, olanzapine, or risperidone for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. METHOD: Twenty-four patients participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week crossover trial with d-cycloserine, 50 mg/day, added to their fixed dose of antipsychotic medication. Clinical ratings were performed every 2 weeks. RESULTS: d-Cycloserine treatment was well tolerated and resulted in a significant reduction in negative symptoms (mean=15%). The degree of improvement did not differ between patients treated with conventional neuroleptics and those treated with olanzapine or risperidone. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the efficacy of the addition of 50 mg/day of d-cycloserine to treatment with conventional neuroleptics and suggest that therapeutic benefits may also be attained when d-cycloserine is added to olanzapine or risperidone.