Study aims to identify schizophrenics at risk for type ...( d those with a recent major crisis. One...)

Patient enrollment began in 2005 and researchers hope to enroll 82 people in each arm of the study. After initial testing, schizophrenics will receive olanzapine and be followed. Researchers hope to glean measures clinicians can easily use to predict development of insulin resistance with anti-psychotic treatment. Greater insulin resistance prior to treatment may be the measure, Dr. Kirkpatrick says.

The study's catchment area, the Esquerra Eixample neighborhood in Barcelona, was selected because it has a fairly homogenous population and psychiatric researchers can study patients early in the illness. In this case, the Hospital Clinic of the University of Barcelona where most people go, offers the best psychiatric care in the nation, Dr. Kirkpatrick says.

"We want to better understand the totality of schizophrenia and we want to increase the risk-benefit ratio of treatment," says Dr. Kirkpatrick. "If you come in and I know you are at high risk of diabetes, I am going to suggest that you try one of the medications that has the reduced risk of also causing diabetes."

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Contact: Toni Baker
tbaker@mcg.edu
706-721-4421
Medical College of Georgia
21-Aug-2006