AN OPEN TRIAL OF CLOZAPINE IN NEUROLEPTIC-RESISTANT CHILDHOOD-ONSET SCHIZOPHRENIA

Background Studies performed with schizophrenic adults who were resist ant to classical neuroleptics showed improvement in 30% of the patient s when treated with clozapine. Very early onset schizophrenic patients benefit only partially from conventional antipsychotics and are at in creased risk of developing extrapyramidal symptoms; clozapine may offe r an alternative treatment for these patients. Method Eleven neurolept ic-resistant children (<13 years) with schizophrenic were treated with clozapine. Improvement was monitored during the first 16 week; using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Positive and Negative Syndrome Sca le and Clinical Global Impression. The mean clozapine dosage was 227.3 (s.d. 34.4) mg/day at the end of the 16 weeks. Results There was an o verall statistically significant reduction in all parameters, especial ly positive symptoms, implying a favourable outcome. Most of the impro vement occurred during the first 6 to 8 weeks. The major side-effects were somnolence and drooling (no agranulocytosis). Conclusion Clozapin e may be a promising drug for the treatment of resistant childhood-ons et schizophrenia.