title: Effects of fenfluramine on the behavior of autistic individuals.
abstract: The present report, part of a national, multicenter study to investigate the effects of fenfluramine on autistic behavior, describes findings on four autistic children ranging in age from 7 to 20 years. Additional performance and parental observation measures apart from those of the multicenter study are included. Results of this study which indicated no significant side effects, a reduction in some deviant behaviors and an improvement in activity level/attention span, provide support for earlier reports. The possibility that fenfluramine's apparently positive effects might be to simply reduce inappropriate behaviors via lethargy was examined and not supported.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Development Center, Rhode Island.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Groden
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Groden
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dondey
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zane
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pueschel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Veliceur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin