In a rare multi-organization study, accelerated by public inquiries, investigators have failed to reproduce results of a reported new treatment for schizophrenia.
Successful use of the naturally occurring co-enzyme, diphenonucleotide (DPN), reported recently by Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD, of Saskatchewan, spurred "frequent and persistent inquiry from schizophrenia patients and their relatives...," said Nathan S. Kline, MD.
Eight other investigators participated in the study using the agent with twenty male, chronic schizophrenics at Rockland State Hospital, Orangeburg, NY. Dr. Kline is director of the institution.
All subjects, ages 23 to 52, had been at Orangeburg for at least six months. Most had been institutionalized for many years.
After initial multiple tests and evaluations, 10 patients were begun on 250 mg capsules of DPN, qid. The other 10 subjects, matched as far as possible, received identical appearing lactose capsules.
Over 20 days patients were repeatedly tested and evaluated. Those involved in testing