Project Summary

Sarah Garside, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2002) of McMaster University, will explore several questions which need to be answered to properly evaluate the risks versus benefits of early intervention (recent studies of schizophrenia have indicated improved long-term outcome may depend on aggressive early treatment of first-onset psychotic symptoms using atypical antipsychotic agents).  She will examine the effects of longer-term exposure to both older and newer antipsychotic medications, and whether it is possible to diagnose schizophrenia accurately at the time of first-onset psychosis so that patients are not inappropriately exposed to the potentially toxic effects of antipsychotic drugs.  Dr. Garside will re-assess patients previously hospitalized with first-episode psychosis with no previous neuroleptic exposure who were randomized to treatment with haloperidol or olanzapine and assessed biweekly for psychiatric status and side effects.  Additionally, using an animal model, she will explore the mechanism of action of atypical antipsychotic medications.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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