title: Treatment of resistant schizophrenia with valproate and neuroleptic drugs.
abstract: Four cases of resistant Schizophrenia treated with valproate association with different neuroleptic drugs (thioridazine in three cases and loxapine in one) are presented. After a mean period of three months with this treatment, clinical improvement, consisting in a reduction of positive symptoms, as measured by the BPRS, and a normalization of hostile/disruptive behavior, was observed, and hospital discharge was possible. Reduction of symptoms was still present after a follow-up of 4 to 24 months. As valproate is a drug with gabaergic properties, a GABA involvement in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is discussed. The association of valproate to neuroleptic drugs should be considered in the treatment of resistant Schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario de Valme, Sevilla, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moriñigo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mateo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014635:Valproic Acid