Lithium response in good prognosis schizophrenia

Abstract

The results of a 2 wk Li trial using 31 patients meeting Research Diagnostic Criteria for schizophrenic or schizoaffective disorder who were also diagnosed according to DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders III) criteria. The patients (1/3) showed reduction of their schizophrenic-like symptoms during the Li trial. Of the 9 responders, 7 (78%) met DSM-III criteria not for schizophrenia but for a schizophreniform disorder. Such patients also met McCabe and associates'' criteria for good prognosis schizophrenia. This study lends further support to the growing body of evidence which suggests that schizophreniform disorder and good prognosis schizophrenic may be affective disorders with atypical schizophrenic-like features. A Li trial may be indicated in this subgroup of patients.