• 신경정신의학
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.230-234
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• 2018

A large proportion of patients with schizophrenia show a poor response to first-line antipsychotic drugs, which is termed treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Previous studies found that a different neurobiology might underlie treatment-resistant schizophrenia, which necessitates the development of different therapeutic approaches for treating treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This study reviewed previous studies on the pathophysiology of treatment-resistant schizophrenia and the pharmacological intervention, and forthcoming investigations of treatment-resistant schizophrenia are suggested.

• 대한조현병학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Clozapine is the first and most effective atypical antipsychotic drug for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). After withdrawal of clozapine due to concerns of agranulocytosis, clozapine was reintroduced with a comprehensive safety monitoring system, the clozapine patient monitoring system (CPMS). The reintroduction was a response to the pressure from psychiatrists and patients with TRS and their families. Clozapine is still the best single agent for the treatment of TRS. However, approximately 30% of patients with TRS still show psychotic symptoms. In patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia (CRS), augmentation of other antipsychotic agents could be considered after a thorough evaluation of proper clozapine treatment. In this review, the status of clozapine in patients with TRS and CRS will be discussed.

• 대한조현병학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.51-57
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• 2020

Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) has been defined as the persistence of positive symptoms despite two or more trials of antipsychotic medication of adequate dose and duration. TRS is a serious clinical problem and occurs in approximately 30% of patients with schizophrenia. It is important that patients who do not adequately respond to antipsychotics be reevaluated to exclude or address causes other than non-responsiveness to medication, that is, the possibility of pseudo-resistance. In particular, non-adherence to oral antipsychotic treatment should be monitored to rule out pseudo-resistant cases of TRS. Moreover, patients with TRS who take their medication as required may have subtherapeutic antipsychotic plasma levels, secondary to pharmacokinetic factors. In this paper, we review the concept and exclusion of pseudo-resistance, especially owing to non-adherence or pharmacokinetic factors, and present methods to enhance drug adherence.

• 대한조현병학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2020

Schizophrenia is one of serious mental illnesses and is often described as a heterogeneous disorder. Approximately one-third of schizophrenia cases are treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). The aim of this study was to review the definitions and clinical features of TRS. Though it was found that the criteria for TRS were considerably diverse, the Treatment Response and Resistance in Psychosis (TRRIP) consensus criteria were recently introduced. According to the TRRIP criteria, TRS should be suspected if symptoms persist alongside psychotic symptoms despite sufficient treatment for ≥12 weeks, or two or more symptoms persist significantly for ≥6 weeks. The clinical characteristics of TRS includes an earlier age of onset, more severe and familial form, possibly more rural residence, unlikely association with male sex, and an increase in cognitive deficits.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.170-180
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• 2009

Objectives : To assess clinical improvement and change in plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) level after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Methods : Seven patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia, who were proven to be treatment-resistant, were treated with 15 sessions of rTMS for three weeks as an adjuvant therapy to antipsychotic treatment. Clinical improvement and change in plasma BDNF level were measured after the treatment period. The symptom severity was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) and the Korean Version of Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia(K-CDSS) at baseline and 7 days after the treatment. Plasma BDNF level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) at baseline and 7 days after the treatment. Results : After the rTMS treatment, there was no significant improvement in PANSS total score(Z=-1.693, p=0.090) and no significant change in plasma BDNF was found(Z=-1.183, p=0.237). Negative correlations were found between percentage change in PANSS positive subscale score and duration of illness(rho=-0.991, N=7, p<0.0005, two-tailed), and PANSS negative subscale score at baseline and percentage change in plasma BDNF level(rho=-0.821, N=7, p=0.023, two-tailed). Conclusion : This preliminary study suggests that rTMS didn't make a significant change in clinical symptoms nor in plasma BDNF level in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Percentage change in plasma BDNF, however, might be correlated with treatment resistance in schizophrenic patients. This is a pilot study with a small sample size, therefore, a further study with a larger sample size is needed.

• 대한조현병학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.52-59
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• 2021

Objectives: Recent studies have reported that delayed initiation of clozapine can affect clinical response in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). This study aimed to explore the relationship between delayed initiation of clozapine and acute treatment response. Methods: Sixty-five inpatients with TRS who started clozapine for the first time were included through a retrospective chart review. Acute treatment response was defined as a 30% reduction in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score or a Clinical Global Impression of Improvement score of 1 (very much improved) or 2 (much improved) at 4 weeks after initiating clozapine. Results: After meeting the TRS criteria, the mean delay for initiating clozapine was approximately 13.8 months. The delay was shorter in patients who showed a better response to clozapine in logistic regression analysis (p=0.037). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that reducing the delay in initiating clozapine increases the effectiveness of clozapine in patients with TRS.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.151-158
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• 2005

Background:Clozapine is a unique atypical antipsychotic medication. It is considered to be superior, even amongst the newer agents, in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, de novo emergence or exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive(OC) symptoms during treatment with clozapine has been reported. We prospectively evaluated 19 cases which newly developed OC symptoms during clozapine treatment and discussed the treatment of OC symptoms induced by it. Methods:We recruited 19 patients(8 males, 11 females) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder who had developed OC symptoms during clozapine treatment. OC symptoms were assessed using the Padua-ICMA and YBOCS on a monthly basis over three months. Results:Eleven female and eight male patients were enrolled and the average age of patients was 32.8 years. At baseline, no patients showed OC symptoms. Moderate to severe OC symptoms appeared with mean daily dose of 298.68 mg of clozapine. There were no significant differences in improving OC symptoms between the clozapine dose reduction group and the OC treatment group. Conclusion:We noticed the possibility that the appearance of OC symptoms is connected with the effect of clozapine. The clozapine-induced OC symptoms were improved both by reducing clozapine daily doses, and by adding OC treatment drugs. With other atypical antipsychotics now available, to know and treat the side effects of clozapine would be of considerable value, offering clinical guidance in making a decision on treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

• 대한조현병학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Objectives: Clozapine is the drug of choice in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, its use is often delayed and a significant proportion of clozapine treated patients fails to respond and experience potentially dangerous side-effects. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients started on clozapine and the rate and reason of discontinuation of clozapine. Methods: Medical records of 83 patients started on clozapine during the period of 2012-2016 were reviewed. Results: Clozapine started on patients in chronic phase; the mean age of start was 38.1 years old and the mean number of psychiatric admission was 6.5. A majority (80.7%) of the patients had been subjected to antipsychotic polypharmacy prior to clozapine and most (61.5%) of them were being treated with polypharmacy including clozapine. Overall, 39 (47.0%) subjects had continued clozapine whereas 15 (18.1%) discontinued it; 29 (34.9%) were lost to follow-up. The most common reason for discontinuation was side-effects (n=13) including six life-threatening cases, most of which occurred within 6 months of its start. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there is some evidence of delays to clozapine use, high rates of polypharmacy and significant rate of discontinuation during the early phase of clozapine treatment.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.50-57
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• 2021

Objectives Clozapine is the most effective atypical antipsychotic agent for the treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), however, only 40%-70% of TRS patients respond to clozapine. Moreover, TRS encompasses various symptom dimensions. Therefore, augmentation with other medications for clozapine is frequently applied. However, the prescription pattern of clozapine and combined medications in Korea is yet to be examined. This study aims to investigate the maintenance treatment pattern of clozapine and augmentation agents in one Korean tertiary hospital. Methods The patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders under clozapine maintenance, defined as one-year clozapine continuation, were subjected for analysis. Medication data at one-year time-point after clozapine initiation was extracted and analyzed. Results Among total 2897 patients having clozapine prescription experience from January 2000 to December 2018, 1011 patients were on clozapine maintenance. The mean age of clozapine initiation was 30.2 ± 11.3 years, and the maintenance dose of clozapine was 217.8 ± 124.3 mg/day. Combination rate of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants were 43.5%, 25.3%, 38.6%, respectively. Most frequently prescribed drugs in each category were aripiprazole, valproate, and sertraline. Olanzapine equivalent dose of combined antipsychotics was 10.4 ± 7.7 mg/day. Male patients were prescribed higher dose of combined antipsychotics and higher rate of antidepressants. Female patients had later onset of clozapine prescription. Patients with two or more combined antipsychotics were prescribed higher dose of clozapine and higher rate of antidepressants compared to patients with one combined antipsychotic. Conclusions Taken together, among the patients taking clozapine, a substantial rate of patients were under polypharmacy. The present findings based on the real-world prescription pattern could provide the valuable clinical information on the treatment of TRS-related conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.98-104
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• 1998

전형적인 항정신병 약물에 치료반응을 보이지 않는 치료저항성 정신분열증의 경우, 비전형성 약물이 효과적인 것으로 알려져 있으며, 이 중 clozapine이 비교적 우수한 약제로 보고되고 있다. 저자들은 치료저항성 정신분열증으로 진단된 환아에서 4년간 clozapine을 투여하여 효과적으로 치료한 경험을 보고하고자 한다. 본 증례는 8세 9개월된 여아로 92년(초등학교 1학년) 여름부터 환청과 환시, 피해 및 신체망상과 그에 따른 이상행동, 감정의 불안정, 대인관계 기피 등이 지속되었고, 간헐적으로 temper tantrum과 퇴행행동을 보여 내원한 사례이다. 92년 가을부터 6개월 동안 모대학 병원의 소아정신과에서 정신분열증 진단하에 입원하여 haloperidol, chloropromazine, pimozide의 약물을 투여받았으나 환청과 망상 및 정서적 불안정 등의 증상이 지속되었으며 추체외로 부작용이 심하였다. 저자들은 환아를 치료저항성 정신분열증으로 진단하고 입원시킨 후 clozapine을 투여하였다. Clozapine 25mg을 일일용량으로 투여하기 시작하여 1개월의 입원기간 동안 150mg/d까지 증량하였다. 입원기간동안 환청과 환시 및 망상증상은 경미한 정도로 호전되었고, 충동성과 상동증상, 그리고 정서적 불안정은 호전되어 대인관계와 놀이치료가 가능하게 되었다. 통원치료 기간 중 첫 6개월동안 $200{\sim}400mg$의 유지용량 투여하면서 환청과 망상은 미미한 정도로 호전되었으며, 약물투여 중에 혈액학적 부작용도 나타나지 않았다. 연상이완의 사고장애가 지속적이어서 clozapine의 용량을 600mg까지 증량하였으며, 투여 2년 후 부터는 일일 500mg을 유지하고 있다. 현재 학습이 가능한 상태이나 언어발달의 지체가 있어 언어치료를 병용하고 있으며 대인관계와 사회생활에는 여전히 문제가 많다.해볼 때, EAT-26KA의 요인구조는 상이하게 나타나 실제검사를 통해 얻어진 결과의 해석은 서구의 경우와 차이가 있을 것이 예상되었고 구조화된 면담을 통해 타당도의 확립이 필요한 것으로 생각되었다. 어머니 양쪽 다 유의 한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 어머니의 양육 행동척도에서 환자집단과 정상집단간에 차이를 보이지 않았으나 아버지의 양육행동척도에서는 과보호 요인에서 집단간 차이를 보이므로서 환자집단의 아버지가 정상집단보다 과보호를 더하고 있는 것으로 나타나 아버지의 양육행동이 문제행동에 더 큰 영향을 줄수 있음을 시사하였다.이 필요할 것으로 보이며 통제된 환경에서의 전향적 연구가 필요할 것이다.밝혀졌다.8명(75.1%)에서 과잉행동이 동반되었고 95명(60.5%)에서 강박증상이 동반되었고 55명(35.0%)에서 자기파괴적인 행동이 있었으며 46명(29.3%)에서 충동성이 동반되었고 35명(22.3%)에서 유뇨증이 관찰되었다. 환자의 발병연령과 내원시 연령, 병의 이병 기간, 강박증상의 정도 사이에 통계적으로 유의한 양성의 상관관계가 있었고 과잉행동성과 음성의 상관관계가 있었다. 과잉행동성과 충동성, 강박성, 야뇨증, 자기파괴적 행동사이에 통계적으로 유의한 양성의 상관관계가 있었다. 환자의 강박증상의 정도와 과잉행동성, 수면장애, 자기파괴적 행동 사이에 통계적으로 유의한 양성의 상관관계가 있었다. 본 연구 결과 저자들은 외래에 내원한 뚜렛장애 환자의 임상적 특성이나 동반된 행동상 문제들이 이전 연구와 크게 상이하지 않음을 확인할 수 있었으며 발병연령이 어릴수록 과잉행동성이 심했으며 발병연령이 늦을수록 강박성이 심했다. 과잉행동성과 충동성, 강박성, 야뇨증, 자기파괴적 행동 등은 상호 높은 관련성이 있었다.}$과잉운동장애환아(過剩運動障碍患兒)에서의 충동성(衝動性)은 이 장애의 중심증상이 아니거나, 이들 약물투여에 의해 호전되지 않거나,