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Risperidone in the treatment of pervasive developmental disorder
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Antiserotonergic medications may benefit adults with pervasive developmental disorders. Risperidone treatment showed improvements in two adult cases, suggesting potential for this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Elevated blood serotonin levels are observed in autistic children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
- Antiserotonergic pharmacotherapy has shown partial efficacy in treating some children with autistic disorder.
- This suggests potential benefits of antiserotonergic treatments for adult psychiatric patients with a history of pervasive developmental disorder.
Observation:
- Two adult patients with a history of pervasive developmental disorder were studied.
- Patients underwent psychiatric and neuropsychological assessments before and after treatment.
- Risperidone, a potent 5-HT2 antagonist with D2 antagonistic properties, was administered.
Findings:
- Both patients demonstrated significant improvements following risperidone treatment.
- Improvements were noted despite long-standing cognitive impairments and potential central nervous system damage.
- The study highlights the positive impact of antiserotonergic treatment in this specific patient population.
Implications:
- Antiserotonergic treatment, specifically with risperidone, may be a valuable therapeutic option for adults with pervasive developmental disorders.
- These findings warrant further investigation into the efficacy of antiserotonergic agents for this demographic.
- Targeting serotonin pathways could offer new avenues for managing complex psychiatric conditions in adults.