Quetiapine Induced Neuroplasticity in First-episode Schizophrenic Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of first episode of schizophrenia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria and no history of neuroleptic medication * Females and/or males aged 18 to 65 years * Mild to moderate schizophrenia Exclusion Criteria: * Neuroleptic treatment prior to study enrollment * Pregnancy or lactation * Any DSM-IV Axis I disorder not defined in the inclusion criteria * Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, pose an imminent risk of suicide or a danger to self or others * Known intolerance or lack of response to quetiapine fumarate as judged by the investigator * Use of any of the following cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitors in the 14 days preceding enrolment including but not limited to: ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, fluvoxamine and saquinavir * Use of any of the following cytochrome P450 inducers in the 14 days preceding enrolment including but not limited to: phenytoin, carbamazepine, barbiturates, rifampin, St. John's Wort, and glucocorticoids * Any history of neuroleptic treatment * Substance or alcohol dependence at enrollment (except dependence in full remission, and except for caffeine or nicotine dependence), as defined by DSM-IV criteria * Opiates, amphetamine, barbiturate, cocaine, cannabis, or hallucinogen abuse by DSM-IV criteria within 4 weeks prior to enrollment * Medical conditions that would affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of study treatment * Unstable or inadequately treated medical illness (e.g. angina pectoris, hypertension, congestive heart failure) as judged by the investigator * Involvement in the planning and conduct of the study * History of or evidence of significant brain malformation or neoplasm, head injury, cerebral vascular events, neurodegenerative disorder affecting the brain or prior brain surgery * Concomitant treatment with psychotropic drugs (e.g. antidepressive agents, anticonvulsants, other neuroleptics) except benzodiazepines or hypnotics