An update on the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents for patients with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#anti-inflammatory-agents-non-steroidal #humans #schizophrenia

An update on the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents for patients with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis

Çakici et al., 2019 | Psychol Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Çakici N, van Beveren N J M, ... Sommer I E C. An update on the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents for patients with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis. Psychol Med. 2019-Oct;49(14):2307-2319. doi:10.1017/S0033291719001995

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence shows that a propensity towards a pro-inflammatory status in the brain plays an important role in schizophrenia. Anti-inflammatory drugs might compensate this propensity. This study provides an update regarding the efficacy of agents with some anti-inflammatory actions for schizophrenia symptoms tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: PubMed, Embase, the National Institutes of Health website (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched for RCTs that investigated clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Our search yielded 56 studies that provided information on the efficacy of the following components on symptom severity: aspirin, bexarotene, celecoxib, davunetide, dextromethorphan, estrogens, fatty acids, melatonin, minocycline, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), pioglitazone, piracetam, pregnenolone, statins, varenicline, and withania somnifera extract. The results of aspirin [mean weighted effect size (ES): 0.30; n = 270; 95% CI (CI) 0.06-0.54], estrogens (ES: 0.78; n = 723; CI 0.36-1.19), minocycline (ES: 0.40; n = 946; CI 0.11-0.68), and NAC (ES: 1.00; n = 442; CI 0.60-1.41) were significant in meta-analysis of at least two studies. Subgroup analysis yielded larger positive effects for first-episode psychosis (FEP) or early-phase schizophrenia studies. Bexarotene, celecoxib, davunetide, dextromethorphan, fatty acids, pregnenolone, statins, and varenicline showed no significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: Some, but not all agents with anti-inflammatory properties showed efficacy. Effective agents were aspirin, estrogens, minocycline, and NAC. We observed greater beneficial results on symptom severity in FEP or early-phase schizophrenia.

Key Findings

Our search yielded 56 studies that provided information on the efficacy of the following components on symptom severity: aspirin, bexarotene, celecoxib, davunetide, dextromethorphan, estrogens, fatty acids, melatonin, minocycline, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), pioglitazone, piracetam, pregnenolone, statins, varenicline, and withania somnifera extract. The results of aspirin [mean weighted effect size (ES): 0.30; n = 270; 95% CI (CI) 0.06-0.54], estrogens (ES: 0.78; n = 723; CI 0.36-1.19), minocycline

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 270
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Humans
  • Schizophrenia

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
  • Vertical: ashwagandha

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09