Amisulpride versus bromocriptine in infantile autism: a controlled crossover comparative study of two drugs with opposite effects on dopaminergic function.
An alteration of dopaminergic (DA) function much more complex than simple hyperactivity has been evoked in infantile autism. We therefore compared the clinical efficacy of a DA antagonist (amisulpride) and a DA agonist (bromocriptine) in a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial in 9 children with autism, likely severely mentally retarded. Amisulpride acts preferentially on specific autistic symptoms whereas bromocriptine acts more on motor hyperactivity and attention symptoms. These findings raise the specificity of these two drugs which appear to act preferentially on some target symptoms and are consistent with some clinical and pharmacological observations showing a sedative effect with low doses of DA agonists and a stimulant effect with low doses of DA antagonists such as the benzamides.
University of Rouen, Department of Psychiatry.
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S
Dollfus
M
M
Petit
J F
JF
Menard
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P
Lesieur
D000293:Adolescent; D000077582:Amisulpride; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects*; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D001971:Bromocriptine; D013469:Sulpiride; D000077582:Amisulpride