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Defining and characterising treatment-resistant schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

S Marder*
Affiliation:
Psychiatry Service, West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90073, USA
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Summary

This paper argues for a broader definition of treatment refractoriness that would include patients with partial drug responses, a relatively recent onset, less dramatic symptoms and intolerance to conventional drugs. The drug trials that define their responsiveness should be carefully conducted over a prolonged period of time, but need not include high doses or supplemental medications. If the consensus conference can agree on a definition of responsiveness, it will provide important guidance to clinicians as well as researchers.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier, Paris 1995

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