Effects of Brilaroxazine on Schizophrenia Symptoms

Summary

This project explores the effect of Brilaroxazine on reducing schizophrenia symptoms, along with its side effect profile relative to current existing treatments. The project also studies pre-existing antipsychotic medications such as Aripiprazole and Cariprazine. It shows the positives and negatives of each medication along with a detailed description of which receptors are affected along with the effect that it had on people using them.

In one of the pre-clinical studies for this drug, rats were given apomorphine to stimulate dopamine receptors which causes a higher rate of climbing behavior. Rats were given doses of brilaroxazine to test its ability to counteract dopamine overstimulation. The brilaroxazine was effective in reducing climbing. Another pre-clinical trial involved isolating rats for a short period of time to stress them out, and then adding a new rat into their enclosure. Rats injected with brilaroxazine proved to be more social which showed promise in brilaroxazine fighting against antisocial behavior in people with schizophrenia.

Phase 1 analyzed the safety of the medicine by doing a double blind study on healthy people, multiple blood samples were taken after giving them varying doses of medicine to identify drug concentration metrics over time. Phase 2 was focused on finding the appropriate dose for this medicine and involved. 234 schizophrenia afflicted patients at 24 different psychiatric hospitals. Patients were given their assigned dose once per day, 28 days they were assessed for changes relative to the placebo group on the PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome scale). Phase 3 was focused on checking safety and effectiveness. Over 400 people with severe schizophrenia were split into a 15mg group, 50 mg group, and a placebo group. Each group administered their assigned dose once per day for four weeks. After the four weeks they were assessed the same way as in phase two.

The receptors affected by brilaroxazine

(Figure representation created by the author: Vamshi Pothu)

Impact Statement

Vamshi Pothu

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This program taught me many important concepts in neuroscience such as neuroplasticity, senses, movement, emotions, and decision making. Along with that, I learned vocabulary such as different regions and cross sections of the brain. It also taught me how to look into published research and make sure that it is made up of credible sources. The final capstone project also greatly developed my ability to convey my findings in a clear and concise manner to an audience that does not know about the study beforehand . This program helped me a lot with my research, communication, and reasoning skills, as I had to read and interpret a lot of long, difficult, and complex sources. I learned many real world skills that will help me across many different fields, and in my future education as well such as well written citations and visual organization of my presentation to develop a cohesive narrative.

Student Reflection

By: Vamshi Pothu. The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Elio Academy.