With the recent advent of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS), such as raloxifene hydrochloride, there is the potential to harness the positive estrogenic effect on central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitter systems. While the CNS effects of raloxifene have not been fully studied, its actions are mediated through binding to estrogen receptors and can thereby regulate gene expression that is ligand, tissue or gene specific. By inference then, raloxifene would be expected to impact on dopamine and serotonin pathways in a similar fashion to unconjugated estrogen.
This study aims to examine the impact of adjunctive SERM (120mg oral Raloxifene daily) treatment on the psychopathology and cognition of men with schizophrenia and related disorders
