Effect of (Des-Tyr)-gamma-endorphin in schizophrenia

Des-tyrosine-gamma-endorphin (DT gamma E), a derivative of gamma-endorphin, which has been reported to have some neuroleptic-like properties in man, was administered to eight hospitalized schizophrenic patients (six chronic, one subacute, one acute) in an open study. Following an initial drug-free period, patients were given DT gamma E for 12 days in doses ranging from 1 to 10 mg/day. Two of the patients were markedly improved after receiving DT gamma E. The improvement was sustained for 2 months in one subjects, while the other deteriorated to pretreatment status within 48 hours of the discontinuation of DT gamma E. Of the other six patients, one showed moderate improvement, three showed minimal improvement, and two showed no change. Improvement was mainly in the area of social functioning; change in positive psychotic symptoms was less noticeable. The positive results obtained in this study in some subjects could have been nonspecific effects, rather than pharmacological action, since social functioning, the main area of improvement, may be especially sensitive to expectancy effects in open trials. Nevertheless, further study of DT gamma E in acute schizophrenics for longer periods appears indicated.