Lithium carbonate in chronic schizophrenia--a brief trial of lithium carbonate added to neuroleptics for treatment of resistant schizophrenic patients.
The value of lithium carbonate as an adjunctive treatment of resistant schizophrenia was tested in a 4-week clinical trial using a single-blind, randomized, consent design. Treatment and control groups were drawn from a population of detained patients in an English special (maximum security) hospital. The 2 groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, severity of symptoms, length of hospitalization and concurrent neuroleptic dosage. The addition of lithium carbonate to the treatment regimen did not result in symptomatic improvement in patients completing the treatment protocol. The ethical and practical difficulties raised by the trial are discussed.
Collins
P J
PJ
Prestwich Hospital, Manchester, Notts, United Kingdom.
Larkin
E P
EP
Shubsachs
A P
AP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012637:Security Measures
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate