Lithium combined with neuroleptics in chronic schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients.
In a placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study lithium carbonate was added to the neuroleptic treatment of 11 chronic schizophrenic and 7 schizoaffective inpatients. Nurses' ratings of behavior indicated significant improvement in 8 patients in agitation or manic behavior, 5 patients in psychosis, and 5 patients in depression. A greater initial severity of symptoms, presence of affective symptoms and episodic course characterized the favorable response group. No neurotoxicity was encountered in this study.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008094:Lithium