Abstract
EMD 57455 (panamesine) is a new sigma receptor Liang alleged to have antipsychotic
effects. Animal studies have demonstrated that AMD 57445 has a functional antidopaminergic
activity without extrapyramidal side effects and a Ac-Cos expression pattern similar
to that obtained with atypical neuroleptics. Therefore, the substance might be of
interest for the treatment of schizophrenia. The present article describes the results
of an exploratory open clinical trial that was aimed at determining the appropriate
dose range for clinical efficacy and safety of AMD 57455 in patients with an acute
episode of schizophrenia. In a treatment period of 4 weeks, 12 patients received AMD
57445 up to 60 M-day for 4 weeks. Seven patients completed the study: four were classified
as res ponders (as defined by at least a 50 % decrease in the APRS total score), two
improved slightly and one patient remained unimproved. The intent-to-treat analysis
showed significant improvement in the psychometric variables assessed by the Brief
Psychiatric Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression and Positive and Negative Symptoms
Scale. Major side effects were extrapyramidal symptoms in two patients and restlessness
in one patient. With respect to efficacy and safety, our data agree with a previous
study, except that in our study AMD 57455 was not totally free of extrapyramidal side
effects.
