Fan X, et al. – A 12–week randomized, double–blind, placebo–controlled study was performed to explore the impact of adjunctive telmisartan on psychopathology and cognition in olanzapine– or clozapine–treated patients with schizophrenia. The findings from the present study suggested that adjunctive treatment with telmisartan might improve schizophrenia symptoms.

Methods

• For the purpose of this study, patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder received either telmisartan (80 mg once per day) or placebo were included.
• Psychopathology was surveyed utilizing the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS), and a neuropsychological battery was utilized to evaluate cognitive performance.
• At baseline and week 12, assessments for psychopathology and cognition were conducted.

Results

• 54 subjects were randomized, and 43 finished the examination (22 in the telmisartan group, 21 in the placebo group).
• The telmisartan group had a significant decrease in PANSS total score compared with the placebo group (mean ± SD: - 4.1 ± 8.1 vs. 0.4 ± 7.5, P = 0.038, SCohen's d = 0.57) after 12-weeks of treatment.
• No significant differences were found between the two groups in change from baseline to week 12 in PANSS subscale scores, SANS total score, or any cognitive measures (P > 0.100).