Synergism of combined lithium-neuroleptic therapy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled case study

Abstract

A longitudinal, placebo controlled study is described of the response to drug treatment of a 62 yr old schizoaffective patient hospitalized for 40 yr. While neither L nor a neuroleptic drug (acetophenazine) alone was effective, both drugs administered simultaneously led to the gradual extinction of a pronounced behavioral cycle and the disappearance of manifest psychosis. A synergistic interaction between the 2 drugs is suggested. The need for sustained trials of the combination in patients with similar behavioral cycles is stressed.