Lu AE58054 is a selective 5-HT6 antagonist that is currently being investigated for treatment of conditions of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Substantial experimental evidence suggests that selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonists may be effective in treating cognitive deficits since they have been shown to improve performance in various animal models of cognitive function and are known to enhance cholinergic and glutaminergic neuronal function.
Lu AE58054 has been investigated in healthy volunteers and patients with schizophrenia, is generally well tolerated and has a benign side-effect profile. Moreover, no safety concerns or issues have been identified to date.
The study is designed to provide data on the efficacy, safety and cognitive properties of Lu AE58054 as augmentation therapy to risperidone in patients with schizophrenia. Efficacy will be assessed in patients who are in a stable phase of their illness, but with a predefined minimum and maximum level of symptoms that will allow them to be included in the study. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either the investigational medicinal product (IMP) or placebo as add-on therapy to their existing risperidone treatment.
