Assessing the Acute Effects of CDP-Choline on Sensory Gating and Cognitive Deficits in Chronic Schizophrenia

Deficient sensory gating (SG) and cognition in schizophrenia are associated with functional outcome and offer therapeutic targets as they are linked to the altered function/expression of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). This study analyzed the effects of CDP-Choline, an α7 nAChR agonist, on SG and cognition in a sample of chronic schizophrenia patients. Using a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind design the dose dependent (500 mg, 1000 mg, 2000 mg) and baseline SG dependent (deficient vs. normal suppressors) effects of CDP-Choline were analyzed using the P50 index of SG and a computerized cognition test battery. CDP-Choline improved SG (500 mg) in the deficient suppressor subgroup by increasing suppression of the S2 P50 amplitude. No positive effects of CDP-Choline on cognition were observed. These findings tentatively support α7 nAChR dysfunction in the expression of SG deficits and support further trials with CDP-choline to asses the effects of sustained α7 nAChR activation.