Serotonergic treatment for aggression in a Down's syndrome adult showing signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Sudden-onset, unprovoked aggression has typically been difficult to reduce or eliminate in persons with mental handicaps or dementia. Several medications have been reported in the literature with varying success, though some risk serious side effects. This study tested the effectiveness of a low dose antidepressant (trazodone) with a serotonin-enhancing diet to reduce aggression while not risking serious side effects. Aggression decreased by 96% in a mentally handicapped adult with Down's syndrome showing signs of Alzheimer-type dementia. The benefit was robustly demonstrated using an on-off-on-again design with detailed recording for nearly 4 months.
Gedye
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A
Provincial Facility for Mentally Handicapped Adults, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D014196:Trazodone / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D014196:Trazodone