AUT00206, a novel compound that targets potassium channels in brain interneurons, not only improves gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia, it also improves their symptoms, new randomized trial data suggest.
In a randomized, double-blind study that included two dozen men with schizophrenia, AUT00206 compared with placebo increased the power of gamma oscillations, which were in turn associated with positive symptom scores.
The investigators note that targeting a potassium channel linked to brain gamma oscillations may offer a novel way to treat schizophrenia.
In addition, lead author Charles Large, PhD, chief executive officer, Autifony Therapeutics, Stevenage, United Kingdom, told Medscape Medical News that it may be "important" to study patients relatively early in their disease course. Participants in the current study were diagnosed less than 5 years previously.
Many previous trials in this area have failed, "and some of the questions were maybe the patients were sort of beyond the point in which you can actually make a difference," Large said.
The findings were presented at the Congress of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) 2022.
"Opportunity to Intervene"
Large noted that patients with chronic, long-term symptoms of schizophrenia have been treated with antipsychotics for decades "and the pathology of that stage is then different."
