Effectiveness of lithium in schizophrenia: do we really have an answer?
The authors review all double-blind studies assessing the efficacy of lithium treatment in schizophrenia. They conclude that active affective symptoms, previous affective episodes, and a family history of affective disorder may predict a favorable response to lithium. However, methodological problems in past studies (e.g., small samples, lack of strict diagnostic criteria) suggest that further clinical trials are warranted.
Atre-Vaidya
N
N
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Chicago Medical School, Ill.
Taylor
M A
MA
D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D011336:Probability; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D008094:Lithium