Symptomatic thinking: the current state of Phase III and IV clinical trials for cognition in schizophrenia

Research indicates that relieving the cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia is crucial for improving patient quality of life. However effective pharmacotherapies for cognitive and negative symptoms do not currently exist. A review of ongoing Phase III clinical trials indicates that, despite numerous compounds being investigated for cognition in schizophrenia, few are actually novel and most are not backed by empirically driven preclinical research efforts. Based on these trials, and a general disinvestment in development of novel therapies for schizophrenia, the likelihood of a major advancement in treating cognitive differences in schizophrenia does not look promising. Possible ways in which the remaining resources for development of novel treatment for schizophrenia can best be leveraged are discussed.