RESUMO
The utility of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques to alleviate resistant delusions in schizophrenia is an under-researched area. In this study, we report the effectiveness of alpha transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) targeting the medial prefrontal cortex in ameliorating persistent delusions. Twelve Schizophrenia patients (N=12) with persistent delusions received add-on treatment with a twice-daily 20-minutes session of 10-Hz tACS. Significant reduction in severity of delusion was noted after 5th day (z=2.67, p<0.01, n=12) with further improvement after 10th day (z=2.52, p=0.01, n=9) of stimulation. Add-on treatment with 10-Hz tACS is a potential therapeutic option for treatment-resistant delusions, which requires further systematic research.
Assuntos
Delusões/complicações , Esquizofrenia/terapia , Estimulação Transcraniana por Corrente Contínua/métodos , Adulto , Delusões/terapia , Humanos , Masculino , Córtex Pré-Frontal/fisiologia , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Despite its superior efficacy, clozapine is an underutilized agent, primarily owing to the "Clozaphobia"-fear of clozapine's adverse effects. Emergent cautions on metabolic side-effects have contributed to avoidance of clozapine prescription. Here, we describe our clinical experience with nine patients having schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders with comorbid diabetes mellitus and treated with clozapine. Interestingly, all patients could be maintained on optimal glycemic control even after clozapine. In conclusion, a critique on the potential risks versus benefits of clozapine amidst our observations from this case series adds further supporting evidence to the emerging literature on the clinical utility of clozapine in treating schizophrenia patients with diabetes mellitus.
