Clinical neuropharmacology
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Clin Neuropharmacol · May 2009
ReviewN-desmethylclozapine: is there evidence for its antipsychotic potential?
N-Desmethylclozapine (NDMC), one of clozapine's major metabolites, has become a recent focus of study for both its antipsychotic and metabolic effects. The aim of this review is to examine NDMC's biological activity in the context of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and to critically evaluate the few recent preclinical and clinical studies of NDMC's potential antipsychotic effects to predict its therapeutic potential. ⋯ Although there is some suggestion based on animal data that NDMC may have a somewhat different biological profile than clozapine, clinical data on its antipsychotic efficacy are scant at this point. This makes it necessary to test NDMC alone compared with established antipsychotic compounds in clinical trials to elucidate its effects on schizophrenia symptoms, clinical outcome, and physiologic/metabolic side effects.
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Clin Neuropharmacol · May 2009
Case ReportsOxcarbazepine treatment of restless legs syndrome: three case reports.
Restless legs syndrome is a sensorimotor neurological condition that affects sleep and daytime functioning. The 4 classes of medication most used for restless legs syndrome include dopaminergic agents, benzodiazepines, opioids, and anticonvulsants such as gabapentin or carbamazepine. Here, we report 3 cases of restless legs syndrome successfully treated with oxcarbazepine, the keto-derivative of carbamazepine.