Mogens Schou

Mogens Schou (* November 24, 1918 in Copenhagen, † 29 September 2005) was a Danish psychiatrist and developer of lithium prophylaxis ( lithium therapy) in the affective psychoses.

After an Australian psychiatrist John Cade had reported in 1949 on an anti - manic effect of lithium, Schou propagated from 1967, a phase- prophylactic action of lithium in affective psychoses. Due to the long-term use of lithium medication relapse into depression or mania should be prevented.

The effectiveness of lithium prophylaxis has been controversial from the start. Some researchers celebrate as the biggest advance in the field of psychiatric drug therapy. Others believe that especially has led to the great personal use of Mogens Schou for their dissemination.

Schou was awarded the 1969 Paul Martini Prize and Albert Lasker Award in 1987 for Clinical Medical Research.