Lithium carbonate in chronic schizophrenia: A brief trial of lithium carbonate added to neuroleptics for treatment of resistant schizophrenic patients.

Investigated the value of lithium carbonate as an adjunctive treatment of resistant schizophrenia in a clinical trial using a single-blind, randomized, consent design. Treatment groups of 23 male patients (aged 21–65 yrs) and 21 male controls (aged 24–54 yrs) were drawn from a maximum security hospital. Both groups continued to receive neuroleptic medication in pretrial doses. After a 4-wk baseline period, the treatment group received lithium carbonate in addition. Psychiatric condition was assessed using the Manchester Scale (M. Krawiecka et al; see record [rid]1978-02355-001[/rid]) and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms. Results do not support the proposition that lithium carbonate is of value in the short term in treating drug-resistant chronic schizophrenia in a detained population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)