Adjuvant Therapeutic Effects of Galantamine on Apathy in a Schizophrenia Patient

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Sir: The limitations of the current medications used to treat schizophrenia have led to a search for adjunctive treatments that may better address the negative symptoms, cognitive deficits, and behavioral problems of the disorder. A promising strategy might be adopted from the current use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.¹ Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., tacrine, donepezil) improve general cognitive functioning and reduce apathy, anxiety, agitation, and other psychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients. Galantamine has a dual mechanism of action that may offer particular benefits for individuals with schizophrenia.