16958
document
Increased repetitive behaviours and prolactin responsivity to oral m-chlorophenylpiperazine in adults with autism spectrum disorders . Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by dysfunction in three primary behavioural domains : repetitive behaviours , social deficits , and language abnormalities . There is evidence that abnormalities exist in the serotonin ( 5-HT ) system in autism spectrum patients . Furthermore , 5-HT is known to play a role in repetitive and social behaviours . This study examined the effect of m-chlorophenylpiperazine ( m-CPP ) on repetitive behaviours and prolactin response in 11 adults with autism or Aspergers disorder and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy controls via randomized double-blind , m-CPP and placebo challenges . The primary outcome measure was an instrument rating six repetitive behaviours : need to know , repeating , ordering , need to tell/ask , self-injury , and touching . Patients with autism spectrum disorders showed a significant increase in repetitive behaviours at end-point following oral m-CPP in comparison to placebo . Additionally subjects with autism spectrum disorders showed a significantly increased prolactin response to m-CPP compared to normal controls , with neither group responding to placebo . This study provides further evidence for altered 5-HT sensitivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorders , as well as a possible relationship between repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorders and abnormalities in the 5-HT system .
16959
Intervention_Pharmacological
m-chlorophenylpiperazine
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Intervention_Pharmacological
m-chlorophenylpiperazine ( m-CPP )
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Pharmacological
oral m-CPP
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Pharmacological
m-CPP
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Outcome_Mental
instrument rating six repetitive behaviours : need to know , repeating , ordering , need to tell/ask , self-injury , and touching
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Outcome_Mental
repetitive behaviours
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Outcome_Physical
oral m-CPP
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Outcome_Physical
prolactin response to m-CPP
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Participant_Condition
adults with autism spectrum disorders .