Acute effects of treatment for prodromal symptoms for people putatively in a late initial prodromal state of psychosis.

BACKGROUND People in a putatively late prodromal state not only have an enhanced risk for psychosis but already suffer from mental and functional disturbances. AIMS To evaluate the acute effects of a combined supportive and antipsychotic treatment on prodromal symptoms. METHOD Putatively prodromal individuals were randomly assigned to a needs-focused intervention without (n=59) or with amisulpride (n=65). Outcome measures at 12-weeks effects were prodromal symptoms, global functioning and extrapyramidal side-effects. RESULTS Amisulpride plus the needs-focused intervention produced superior effects on attenuated and full-blown psychotic symptoms, basic, depressive and negative symptoms, and global functioning. Main side-effects were prolactin associated. CONCLUSIONS Coadministration of amisulpride yielded a marked symptomatic benefit. Effects require confirmation by a placebo-controlled study.