Physostigmine and lithium response in the schizophrenias

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Abstract
Conflicting reports concerning cholinomimetic-induced reduction of schizophrenic symptoms prompted study of such changes in schizophrenic symptoms following physostigmine infusions in subgroups of patients with schizophreniclike illness. These subgroups were defined by the presence or absence of antipsychotic response during a 2 wk trial of Li alone after physostigmine infusion. Patients who showed significant but temporary improvement in their thinking disturbance on serial Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores following physostigmine infusion subsequently responded to Li; patients who failed to improve following physostigmine also failed to respond to Li. Some schizophreniclike illnesses may be biologically similar to mania both with respect to physostigmine and Li-induced changes in symptomatology.