BACKGROUND:

People in a putatively late prodromal state not only have an enhanced risk for psychosis but already suffer from mental and functional disturbances.

AIMS:

To evaluate the acute effects of a combined supportive and antipsychotic treatment on prodromal symptoms.

METHOD:

Putatively prodromal individuals were randomly assigned to a needs-focused intervention without (n=59) or with amisulpride (n=65). Outcome measures at 12-weeks effects were prodromal symptoms, global functioning and extrapyramidal side-effects.

RESULTS:

Amisulpride plus the needs-focused intervention produced superior effects on attenuated and full-blown psychotic symptoms, basic, depressive and negative symptoms, and global functioning. Main side-effects were prolactin associated.

CONCLUSIONS:

Coadministration of amisulpride yielded a marked symptomatic benefit. Effects require confirmation by a placebo-controlled study.