Study Suggests Treatment with Paliperidone ER Significantly Improves Symptoms of Schizoaffectiv...( SAN DIEGO April 1 /- Patients with sc...),Health

SAN DIEGO, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Patients with schizoaffective disorder who received paliperidone extended release tablets (paliperidone ER) for six weeks showed significant improvement in a broad range of schizoaffective symptoms, according to a new study presented today at the 12th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research (ICOSR) in San Diego, Calif.(1) The findings of the study provide additional evidence for symptomatic improvement of schizoaffective disorder following therapy with paliperidone ER.(2)

"This well-designed and conducted study of paliperidone ER in patients with schizoaffective disorder found that this medication is both efficacious and well-tolerated," said Nina Schooler, Ph.D., SUNY Downstate Medical Center. "These new data support the potential use of paliperidone ER as an effective option for the treatment of this understudied group of patients."

Schizoaffective disorder is a condition, which encompasses the symptoms of both schizophrenia and a major mood disorder. Patients with schizoaffective disorder experience the psychosis characteristic of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, as well as symptoms of mania and/or depression.(3) Schizoaffective disorder can be difficult to distinguish from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder because the symptoms are similar to both. The disorder is about one third as common as schizophrenia(4) but within those people that frequently use mental health services, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder may account for approximately 32% and 24% of cases respectively.(5)

In the six week, international, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study, 311 patients with an established diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, who were experiencing acute symptoms, were randomized to receive either paliperidone ER or a placebo. The paliperidone ER dose was initiated at 6 mg/day and could be adjusted in range from 3mg/day
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