Effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in schizophrenia.

Abstract

A clinical appraisal was made of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) used in combination with psychoactive drugs in schizophrenia. The results obtained may be summarized as follows : 1. In conjunction with maintenance neuroleptics therapy, TRH, 4 mg daily, was administered for 14 days to 62 schizophrenics, including 32 males and 30 females, who exhibited reduced spontaneity, abulia, apathy and autism (social withdrawal) as principal symptoms. Those who had psychomotor excitement or marked hallucinations or delusions were excluded. 2. Of the 62 patients treated, 27 (43.5%) responded excellently or well and 46 (74.1%) to a more or less favorable extent. Symptomatic aggravation resulted in 6 (9.6%) and no symptomatic response was elicited in 10 cases (16.1%). Facial expression, rapport and physical activity were outstanding among features that responded favorably to the hormone. 3. No substantial difference existed between types of the illness in regard to the effectiveness of the hormone. Symptomatic aggravation was more frequent in females than males. Fair or better responses tended to be of higher incidence among patients institutionalized for 5 years or more than among those for shorter periods. The effect of the hormone was manifested within a week, and lasted for a variable period in different cases. Adverse effects were observed in 1 out of 62 cases.