The goal of this multi-year project is to evaluate schizophrenia medications as they relate to indicators for cardiovascular disease and disease stability, and to determine treatment effectiveness.

People with schizophrenia and related disorders frequently experience other medical illnesses and premature mortality. In particular, recent research has shown that individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease as indicated by a high prevalence of a metabolic syndrome.

The antipsychotic medications used to treat people with schizophrenia can cause adverse changes in cholesterol and other metabolic parameters that are associated with cardiovascular disease. It is therefore important to have a better understanding of metabolic disorders, such as weight gain, associated with the most commonly used antipsychotic medications in the treatment of schizophrenia. The Foundation for NIH raised $8 million from the private sector to support this project.

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