[Psychopharmacological therapy of self-injurious behavior in mentally retarded individuals]

Neurobiological research has implicated the dopamine and serotonin system in the pathogenesis of self-injurious behavior. The efficacy of antipsychotic drugs has been questioned. Opened and controlled investigations have shown risperidone is effective for reducing self-injurious behaviour in mentally retardation. We report about 3 mentally retarded patients which were given open-label risperidone for 12 weeks. They participated in a detailed assessment of behaviour symptoms at baseline and the repetitive behaviour was weekly rated with the disability assessment schedule (DAS). All three patients responded.