A CLINICAL EVALUATION OF MEPROBAMATE THERAPY IN A CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIC POPULATION

1. Meprobamate is clearly of value in reducing the anxiety and tension level of chronic schizophrenic patients. Forty-one percent of a group of 32 patients receiving the drug for 12 weeks (up to 1,200 mg. q. i. d.) showed a significant improvement in comparison with 10% in a group of 31 patients receiving placebo. Improvement in the drug group continued to increase until withdrawal suggesting that a treatment period of longer duration is advisable. The effect was considerably reduced within 4 weeks after cessation of treatment.

2. During the medication period 8 patients complained of transient stomach upsets. No patients, however, required specific therapy. No other side-effects were noted during the time the patients received the drug. Upon abrupt withdrawal, solitary grand mal seizures occurred in 2 patients, as well as other less serious signs of increased anxiety and tension in other patients, indicating the need for gradual withdrawal.

3. The beneficial effects of meprobamate are unrelated to age, duration of illness, or diagnostic subdivision.

4. The improvement shown initially by the placebo group underscores the need for carefully controlled studies in evaluating therapy.

5. Meprobamate causes specific fast activity changes on a majority of EEG's. The increased alpha activity seen on the EEG's of patients receiving placebo as well as those receiving meprobamate demonstrates apparent evidence of placebo potency on a neurophysiologic level.