Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats
09:12

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats

Published on: March 17, 2019

Pharmacotherapy of disruptive behavior and item changes on a standardized rating scale: pooled analysis of

Michael Aman1, Jan Buitelaar, Goedele De Smedt

  • 1The Nisonger Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 4310, USA. aman.1@osu.edu

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
|May 25, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Risperidone improved social competence and problem behaviors in children with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs). However, symptoms of affective insecurity and social disinterest were unaffected by the medication.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Science
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) involve persistent antisocial and aggressive behaviors violating age-appropriate norms.
  • Risperidone is an approved medication for treating DBDs in various age groups.
  • Assessing risperidone's efficacy on specific symptom items in DBD patients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical effect of risperidone on Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form (N-CBRF) symptom items in children with DBDs.
  • To determine which specific behavioral symptoms respond to risperidone treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Pooled data from two 6-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
  • Participants were children with DBDs and subaverage IQ (mild, moderate mental retardation, borderline IQ).
  • Risperidone oral solution was administered at doses of 0.02-0.06 mg/kg/day.

Main Results:

  • Risperidone significantly improved both Social Competence and Problem Behavior subscales of the N-CBRF.
  • Symptom reduction was observed in Conduct Problem and Insecure/Anxious categories.
  • Positive social behaviors improved, but 'affective insecurity' symptoms (e.g., shy, tearful) and social disinterest did not.

Conclusions:

  • Risperidone effectively treats most problem behaviors in children with DBDs and subaverage IQ.
  • Specific symptoms like 'affective insecurity' and social disinterest may not respond to risperidone.
  • Findings offer a more nuanced understanding of risperidone's therapeutic profile in this population.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)10:02

Event Related Potentials (ERPs) and other EEG Based Methods for Extracting Biomarkers of Brain Dysfunction: Examples from Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Published on: March 12, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Drug Therapy01:28

Drug Therapy

The advent of drug therapy has profoundly shaped modern mental health care, providing targeted treatments for a range of psychological disorders. Psychotherapeutic drugs, classified into antianxiety, antidepressant, and antipsychotic medications, address symptoms across anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia. While these medications have transformed patient outcomes, they require careful management due to their potential side effects and limitations.
Antianxiety Medications
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy01:26

Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy

Antipsychotic drugs are a crucial treatment method for acute and chronic psychoses, bipolar illness, and behavioral disorders. The selection of these drugs depends on several factors, including the state of the disease, clinical judgment, possible drug interactions, and the patient's sensitivity to adverse effects. In immediate scenarios, such as delirium and dementia, short-term treatment with low doses of high-potency typical or atypical agents can effectively manage symptom exacerbation. For...
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview01:24

Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview

Mania, a psychological condition characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and reduced sleep need, is part of the bipolar disorder cycle. The exact cause of mania isn't entirely known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and neurological factors. Bipolar disorder involves alternating manic and depressive episodes. Mood stabilizers like lithium, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants help manage these episodes. Lithium carbonate is particularly effective as a...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder01:30

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...
Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents01:21

Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents

Antipsychotic drugs are classified into first-generation (typical) drugs including phenothiazines; and second-generation (atypical) drugs. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (Thorazine), a phenothiazine derivative, broadly impacts the central, autonomic, and endocrine systems. This drug, along with typical agents like haloperidol (Haldol), primarily works by antagonizing D2 receptors, thus reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, typical antipsychotics can cause side effects such as sedation...
Operant Conditioning Intervention01:24

Operant Conditioning Intervention

Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...