Electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia--an open label study.
OBJECTIVE
This open label study describes the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as adjunctive treatment in clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia.


METHODS
The results of clozapine and ECT treatment in 11 clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia are reported in terms of remission and relapse.


RESULTS
Eight patients had a remission with this combination treatment. After remission of symptoms five patients had a relapse. Three of the five patients who relapsed had a second successful ECT course and remained well with maintenance ECT and clozapine. No evidence for adverse effects was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Adjunctive ECT can be efficacious in clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia.
Kho
K H
KH
GGZ Delfland, St Jorisweg 2, 2612 GA Delft, The Netherlands. k.kho@ggz-delfland.nl
Blansjaar
B A
BA
de Vries
S
S
Babuskova
D
D
Zwinderman
A H
AH
Linszen
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine