title: An open trial of clozapine in 11 adolescents with childhood-onset schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the response of 11 adolescents with childhood-onset schizophrenia to a 6-week open clozapine trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven children meeting DSM-III-R criteria for schizophrenia had a 6-week open trial of clozapine (mean sixth week daily dose 370 mg). Behavioral ratings included the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Children's Global Assessment Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half showed marked improvement in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale ratings by 6 weeks of clozapine therapy compared to admission drug rating and compared to a systematic 6-week trial of haloperidol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This open trial indicates that clozapine may be a promising treatment for children and adolescents with schizophrenia who do not respond well to typical neuroleptics. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is ongoing.
authors.affiliation: Child Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lenane
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jih
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rapoport
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012561:Schizophrenia, Childhood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D003024:Clozapine; D006220:Haloperidol