Lithium treatment of impulsive behavior in children.
Children who display sporadic unprovoked physical aggression and are refractory to usual treatment pose a difficult management problem. A group of 14 such children were matched with a control group; behaviors of both groups were observed and recorded for 3 months. The experimental group was then maintained on high doses of lithium carbonate for 3 months. Behavioral recordings were continued during this period and for 3 months after discontinuation of lithium. While on lithium, the children showed a substantial reduction in unprovoked aggressive outbursts. Because lithium was well tolerated and laboratory and clinical examinations did not show any adverse effects, it is suggested that lithium may be an important therapeutic agent in the treatment of aggression in children.
D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008297:Male
D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium