Possible antipsychotic effects of minocycline in patients with schizophrenia

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Jan 30;31(1):304-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2006.08.013. Epub 2006 Oct 5.

Abstract

We present two cases of patients with schizophrenia treated with minocycline. Minocycline (a second-generation tetracycline) is an established and safe broad-spectrum antibiotic that crosses the blood-brain barrier, with additional efficacy for diseases such as acne and rheumatoid arthritis. Animal studies have suggested that minocycline may prevent progression of some neurological disorders. Moreover, it has been reported that minocycline might have antidepressant effects. We report two cases of acute schizophrenia with predominant catatonic symptoms that responded to minocycline.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antipsychotic Agents*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Minocycline / therapeutic use*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Risperidone / therapeutic use
  • Schizophrenia, Catatonic / drug therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Minocycline
  • Haloperidol
  • Risperidone