title: Placebo-controlled acute dosage naltrexone study in young autistic children.
abstract: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial 23 autistic children were treated with a single 40-mg dose of the opiate antagonist naltrexone. Drug effects were monitored by detailed playroom observations, actometers, and parents' checklist ratings (Aberrant Behavior Checklist, social items and target behaviors). Naltrexone treatment failed to produce significant changes in social behavior, but it did reduce irritability and target scores on behavior checklists. The playroom data indicated that naltrexone significantly affected indices of activity and attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Psychiatry, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Willemsen-Swinkels
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Buitelaar
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Weijnen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Engeland
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009271:Naltrexone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012919:Social Behavior; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009271:Naltrexone; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006854:Hydrocortisone