Improvement of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment following S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM-e) augmentation in schizophrenia

Rael D. Strous; Michael S. Ritsner; Shmuel Adler; Yael Ratner; Rachel Maayan; Moshe Kotler; Herbert Lachman; Abraham Weizman

doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.08.004

Improvement of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment following S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM-e) augmentation in schizophrenia

Rael D. Strous^*, Michael S. Ritsner, Shmuel Adler, Yael Ratner, Rachel Maayan, Moshe Kotler, Herbert Lachman, Abraham Weizman

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM-e), functions as a primary methyl group donor for several metabolic compounds. Since SAM-e is involved in several metabolic processes, its administration may have a role in the amelioration of several disorders. In addition, SAM-e increases catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme activity, which may ameliorate aggressive symptoms in certain patients. We have therefore investigated the efficacy of SAM-e in managing schizophrenia symptomatology in patients with the low activity COMT polymorphism. Eighteen patients with chronic schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive either SAM-e (800 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks in double-blind fashion. Results indicated some reduction in aggressive behavior and improved quality of life following SAM-e administration. Female patients showed improvement of depressive symptoms. Clinical improvement did not correlate with serum SAM-e levels. Two patients receiving SAM-e exhibited some exacerbation of irritability. This preliminary pilot short-term study cautiously supports SAM-e as an adjunct in management of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment in schizophrenia.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	14-22
Number of pages	9
Journal	European Neuropsychopharmacology
Volume	19
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2008.08.004
State	Published - Jan 2009

Keywords

COMT
Psychosis
S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM-e)
Schizophrenia

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title = "Improvement of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment following S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM-e) augmentation in schizophrenia",

abstract = "S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM-e), functions as a primary methyl group donor for several metabolic compounds. Since SAM-e is involved in several metabolic processes, its administration may have a role in the amelioration of several disorders. In addition, SAM-e increases catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) enzyme activity, which may ameliorate aggressive symptoms in certain patients. We have therefore investigated the efficacy of SAM-e in managing schizophrenia symptomatology in patients with the low activity COMT polymorphism. Eighteen patients with chronic schizophrenia were randomly assigned to receive either SAM-e (800 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks in double-blind fashion. Results indicated some reduction in aggressive behavior and improved quality of life following SAM-e administration. Female patients showed improvement of depressive symptoms. Clinical improvement did not correlate with serum SAM-e levels. Two patients receiving SAM-e exhibited some exacerbation of irritability. This preliminary pilot short-term study cautiously supports SAM-e as an adjunct in management of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment in schizophrenia.",

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note = "Funding Information: This study was funded by the Stanley Foundation with a generous grant to RDS. The Stanley Foundation had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. ",

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AU - Maayan, Rachel

AU - Kotler, Moshe

AU - Lachman, Herbert

AU - Weizman, Abraham

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Improvement of aggressive behavior and quality of life impairment following S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAM-e) augmentation in schizophrenia

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