Table 3.

Effects of ALA in schizophrenic patients.

Patients (n)	Design	Treatment	Key Effects	References
Schizophrenia with antipsychotic induced weight gain Age range: n.s n = 15	Clinical trial Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled	600–1800 mg/day ALA or placebo, orally Duration: 12 weeks	- Reduction in body weight and BMI - Significantly reduced visceral fat areas - No severe side effects except gastrointestinal symptoms and mild dermatologic symptoms	[101]
Schizophrenia Age range: 18–60 n = 10	Clinical trial Open-Label Trial	100 mg/day ALA, orally Duration: 4 months	- Significant improvement in neurocognitive parameters - No significant differences in BMI, abdominal circumference, blood count and liver enzymes	[122]
Schizophrenia Age range: 25–60 n = 18	Clinical trial Controlled	500 mg/day ALA, orally Duration: 3 months	- Significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels - Decrease in fasting glucose and aspartate aminotransferase activity	[123]