Izoniazid in the Treatment of Schizophrenia

Simpson, R. Wallace (1954) Izoniazid in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

An account of the discovery and progress of insulin coma and the convulsive therapies is given. The symptomatology of schizophrenia is described and a review is made of the various theories of aetiology. The technique of insulin coma treatment and of cardiazol and electric convulsive therapies is presented in detail. The results of these treatments are given and a discussion is made on the selection of cases. The theories suggested as to their mode of action are discussed. An account is given of the pharmocology and therapeutics of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid). It has been suggested that this drug produces a temporary elevation of the blood sugar level and causes a disturbance in carbohydrate metabolism. Sixty patients suffering from schizophrenia of many years' duration were treated with isoniazid administered for varying periods in an oral dosage of 100 mgms. four times daily. 32% showed a definite improvement, a further 13% improved slightly, while 10% deteriorated. In the remaining 45%, the drug produced no significant mental change. In twenty-nine cases, blood sugar estimations were carried out in the fasting condition and one, two and three hours after the ingestion of 100 Gm. of glucose. This was done before commencing isoniazid therapy, and one and three weeks later. In six cases, blood sugar estimations were carried out in the fasting condition and then at half hourly intervals to two and a half hours after the ingestion of 100 Gm. of glucose in divided doses by the Exton-Rose technique. This was done before isoniazid was started, and again four and seven days later. On these days the fasting cerebrospinal fluid sugar estimations were also done. The results of isoniazid in the treatment of schizophrenia are discussed and compared with those for insulin coma and electro-convulsive treatments. Further possible uses for the drug in the treatment of mental illness are suggested. Theories as to its mode of action are discussed.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, Mental health, Pharmaceutical sciences
• Date of Award: 1954
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1954-79119
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 05 Mar 2020 11:42
• Last Modified: 05 Mar 2020 11:42
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79119