92256
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A double-blind , placebo-controlled study of risperidone in adults with autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders . BACKGROUND Neurobiological research has implicated the dopamine and serotonin systems in the pathogenesis of autism . Open-label reports suggest that the serotonin2A-dopamine D2 antagonist risperidone may be safe and effective in reducing the interfering symptoms of patients with autism . METHODS Thirty-one adults ( age [ mean+/-SD ] , 28.1+/-7.3 years ) with autistic disorder ( n=17 ) or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified ( n=14 ) participated in a 12-week double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of risperidone . Patients treated with placebo subsequently received a 12-week open-label trial of risperidone . RESULTS For persons completing the study , 8 ( 57 % ) of 14 patients treated with risperidone were categorized as responders ( daily dose [ mean+/-SD ] , 2.9+/-1.4 mg ) compared with none of 16 in the placebo group ( P < .002 ) . Risperidone was superior to placebo in reducing repetitive behavior ( P < .001 ) , aggression ( P < .001 ) , anxiety or nervousness ( P < .02 ) , depression ( P < .03 ) , irritability ( P < .01 ) , and the overall behavioral symptoms of autism ( P < .02 ) . Objective , measurable change in social behavior and language did not occur . Nine ( 60 % ) of 15 patients who received treatment with open-label risperidone following the double-blind placebo phase responded . Other than mild , transient sedation , risperidone was well tolerated , with no evidence of extrapyramidal effects , cardiac events , or seizures . CONCLUSION Risperidone is more effective than placebo in the short-term treatment of symptoms of autism in adults .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
risperidone
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Intervention_Pharmacological
serotonin2A-dopamine D2 antagonist risperidone
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Intervention_Control
placebo-controlled
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Intervention_Pharmacological
risperidone
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Intervention_Pharmacological
risperidone
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Intervention_Pharmacological
risperidone
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Intervention_Control
placebo
92264
Intervention_Pharmacological
Risperidone
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Control
placebo
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Risperidone
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Intervention_Control
placebo
92269
Outcome_Mental
repetitive behavior
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Outcome_Mental
aggression
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Outcome_Mental
anxiety or nervousness ( P < .02 ) , depression ( P < .03 ) , irritability ( P < .01 )
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Outcome_Mental
behavioral symptoms of autism
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Outcome_Mental
social behavior and language
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
mild , transient sedation
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Outcome_Other
tolerated
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
extrapyramidal effects
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
cardiac events
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Outcome_Adverse-effects
seizures
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Participant_Condition
autistic disorder
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Participant_Condition
autism .
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Participant_Condition
autism
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Participant_Sample-size
Thirty-one
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Participant_Age
adults
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Participant_Condition
autistic disorder
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Participant_Sample-size
n=14
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Participant_Condition
autism
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Participant_Age
adults