Psychopharmacology in child and adolescent psychiatry: a review of the past seven years. Part I.
OBJECTIVE
To present a critical overview of the literature published in the past 7 years on the efficacy and safety of psychoactive agents in mental retardation with associated psychiatric disorders, autistic disorder, Tourett's disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.


METHODS
Double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trials and open studies were reviewed and selected reports presented.


RESULTS
The literature review reveals that progress has been made in the psychopharmacological treatment of the above conditions. This is partly because more studies use larger sample sizes and a narrower age range of diagnostically homogeneous patients and use a more sophisticated methodology than in previous years. Greater attention is being paid to a critical assessment of psychoactive agents and to their safety, to the efficacy as well as to the effectiveness of drugs. The 5-year National Plan for Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (1991) based on the Institute of Medicine Report (1989) already has had a significant impact on psychophamacology research.


CONCLUSIONS
Advances in methodology, initiatives of the National Institute of Mental Health, and the advent of DSM-IV should continue to enhance research and improve pharmacotherapy in clinical practice.
Campbell
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016, USA.
Cueva
J E
JE
D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs