Am J Psychiatry 1982; 139:646-649
Copyright © 1982 by American Psychiatric Association
Growth hormone levels and lithium ratios as predictors of success of lithium therapy in schizophrenia
J Hirschowitz, FP Zemlan and DL Garver
The authors previously found a high correlation between lithium response
and clinical diagnostic criteria in a subgroup of schizophrenic-like
patients who responded favorably to lithium therapy. In the present study
the authors extend this research by using biological markers to predict and
identify such patients. They examined growth hormone (GH) response to
apomorphine administration and the in vitro lithium ratio in 31 patients
before and after a 2-week lithium trial. Peak GH levels (greater than or
equal to 20 ng/ml) and lithium ratios (greater than or equal to .39) were
correlated with a positive response to lithium therapy. The authors discuss
1) the use of these two biological markers to predict the success of
lithium therapy in schizophrenia and 2) biological abnormalities
characteristic of lithium- responsive schizophrenic patients.
