Predictors of response to lithium in patients with psychoses

Am J Psychiatry. 1995 Oct;152(10):1511-3. doi: 10.1176/ajp.152.10.1511.

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to characterize a subset of patients with DSM-III schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder who respond to lithium.

Method: Sixty-six psychotic patients were given a systematic therapeutic trial of lithium alone. Differences in demographic characteristics, symptoms, and family history of psychotic disorders between the responders and nonresponders to lithium were explored.

Results: Responders and nonresponders did not differ significantly in age, duration of illness, length of current episode, distribution of RDC and DSM-III diagnoses, or number of positive symptoms. However, the responders to lithium (N = 10) exhibited a paucity of negative symptoms and an absence of familial schizophrenic spectrum disorders.

Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest the possibility of pretreatment identification of psychotic patients for whom neuroleptic medication could be avoided by therapeutic intervention with lithium alone.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Family
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Lithium / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Probability
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Lithium