Statins as an Adjuvant Therapy for Psychotic Disorders: Current Evidence with a Systematic Overview of Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Trials

Abstract

Evidence is accumulating that inflammatory processes play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This suggests that anti-inflammatory drugs might have beneficial effects in the treatment of schizophrenia patients. Statins have cholesterol independent effects on inflammation and oxidative stress and could potentially improve positive, negative and/or cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. We provide an overview of the literature regarding the effects of statins in the treatment of schizophrenia.