Electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia--an open label study.

OBJECTIVE: This open label study describes the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as adjunctive treatment in clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia. METHOD: The results of clozapine and ECT treatment in 11 clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia are reported in terms of remission and relapse. RESULTS: Eight patients had a remission with this combination treatment. After remission of symptoms five patients had a relapse. Three of the five patients who relapsed had a second successful ECT course and remained well with maintenance ECT and clozapine. No evidence for adverse effects was found. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive ECT can be efficacious in clozapine nonresponders suffering from schizophrenia.