THIS study was undertaken as part of a continuing search for drugs to treat young schizophrenic children. These children usually have some associated mental retardation and show little ability to improve, even with the most intensive therapies available.1 Pilot studies in adults suggested that thiothixene was an effective neuroleptic, especially for apathetic, anergic chronic schizophrenic adults.2-5 The responses to drugs of young childhood schizophrenics with mental retardation resemble the responses of chronic schizophrenic adults, rather than those of acute schizophrenics.6,7
Young schizophrenic children, however, show delays and deficits in development, in addition to their psychosis. Even the mute, catatonic schizophrenic adult has once spoken. Many preschool schizophrenics have never spoken; functions such as language and performance skills must be developed, not merely returned to more normal levels. This may be one reason why less sedative neuroleptics, such as trifluoperazine and trifluperidol, have been more effective than chlorpromazine