Effect of naltrexone upon self-injurious behavior, learning and activity: a case study.
Naltrexone significantly attenuated self-injurious behavior in a 20-year-old mildly retarded autistic male patient. The patient was videotaped daily and behavior was evaluated with a time-sampling procedure. Behavioral ratings of SIB frequency, SIB severity, and activity were collected automatically with a computerized system. Learning and memory were tested on a weekly basis with a modification of a paired associate learning test (PALT). Treatment with naltrexone resulted in (a) attenuation of SIB in the unstructured setting and (b) improvements in learning and memory without influencing activity levels.
Taylor
D V
DV
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine.
Hetrick
W P
WP
Neri
C L
CL
Touchette
P
P
Barron
J L
JL
Sandman
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008831:Microcephaly / Q000150:complications; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009271:Naltrexone