Effects of mianserin on negative symptoms in schizophrenia

The efficacy of mianserin as a supplement in treating chronic schizophrenia was tested in 20 inpatients with schizophrenia who were receiving fixed doses of neuroleptics. Mianserin was given for six weeks with a starting dose of 60 mg/day. A brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) was completed before starting mianserin and thereafter BPRS scoring was carried out once weekly. The total BPRS score and the score for negative symptoms were decreased by mianserin treatment as compared to the pre-treatment values. Plasma 5-HIAA concentrations were increased after medication in both responding patients and nonresponding patients. However, the 5-HIAA values of responders were lower than those of nonresponders. Plasma HVA levels were slightly increased by mianserin in the responders. There were no significant changes in MHPG levels. These results suggest that the negative symptoms of schizophrenia may be improved by mianserin treatment.