Biomedical subjects

Earl Giller

Publications and source records attributed to Earl Giller.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Ganaxolone.

Ganaxolone (3alpha-hydroxy-3beta-methyl-5alpha-pregnan-20-one) (GNX) is the 3beta-methylated synthetic analog of allopregnanolone; it belongs to a class of compounds referred to as neurosteroids. GNX is an allosteric modulator of GABA(A) receptors acting through binding sites which are distinct from the benzodiazepine binding site. It has activity in a broad range of animal models of epilepsy. GNX has been shown to be well tolerated in adults and children. In early phase II studies, GNX has been shown to have activity in adult patients with partial-onset seizures and epileptic children with history of infantile spasms. It is currently undergoing further development in infants with newly diagnosed infantile spasms, in women with catamenial epilepsy, and in adults with refractory partial-onset seizures.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

This multicentre, parallel-group study compared the efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone and chlorpromazine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (at least three treatment periods of at least 6 weeks each with two or more antipsychotic agents during the past 5 years without significant response) that was unresponsive to 6 weeks of open-label haloperidol (</=30 mg/day). Haloperidol nonresponders were randomized to ziprasidone 80-160 mg/day (n=152) or chlorpromazine 200-1200 mg/day (n=154) for up to 12 weeks. The primary efficacy measures were the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRSd) total score derived from the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), BPRSd core psychotic symptoms, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S). Secondary efficacy variables included PANSS total score, PANSS Negative Subscale, and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Results were assessed at baseline and week 6 of haloperidol treatment (n=415) and at weeks 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 of randomized treatment (n=306). Improvements in efficacy variables were greater with ziprasidone at weeks 3 and 6, reaching statistical significance versus chlorpromazine (P<0.05) at week 6 for CGI-S and week 12 for PANSS Negative Subscale. Improvements in BPRSd total and core items and PANSS total scores were comparable at weeks 9 and 12. Ziprasidone was associated with a greater decrease in median prolactin levels and a lower incidence of clinically significant weight change. Neither agent caused any clinically important changes in QTc interval.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Ziprasidone in the treatment of acute bipolar mania: a three-week, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of ziprasidone, compared with placebo, in the treatment of adult patients with acute bipolar mania. METHOD: Patients with a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar I disorder and a current manic or mixed episode (confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, Patient Edition) (N=210) were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to 3 weeks of double-blind treatment with ziprasidone (40-80 mg twice daily) or placebo. Efficacy was assessed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Change Version (which contains the Mania Rating Scale), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity scale, CGI improvement scale, and Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Primary efficacy variables were differences from baseline to endpoint (last observation carried forward) in mean Mania Rating Scale and CGI severity scale scores between the ziprasidone and placebo groups. Safety evaluations included monitoring of adverse events, vital signs, electrocardiogram results, and clinical laboratory values and assessment of movement disorders and akathisia. RESULTS: Ziprasidone produced rapid, sustained improvements relative to baseline and placebo on all primary and most secondary efficacy measures at endpoint. Significant improvements were typically observed within 2 days after treatment commenced and were maintained throughout the 3 weeks. Ziprasidone was well tolerated and associated with a low rate of extrapyramidal symptoms; neither weight gain nor clinically significant changes in vital signs or other safety parameters were observed with ziprasidone. CONCLUSIONS: Ziprasidone monotherapy was significantly superior to placebo in reducing symptoms of acute mania in patients with bipolar I disorder. Onset of action was rapid, and tolerability of ziprasidone was generally comparable to that of placebo.

Acute Disease↗