Risperidone treatment of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders: a prospective open-label study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the short-term safety and efficacy of risperidone in the treatment of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders.


METHODS
This was a 12-week, prospective, systematic, open-label trial that included 18 subjects (15 boys and 3 girls) with a mean age of 10.2 +/- 3.7 years. The sample included 11 subjects with autistic disorder, 3 with Asperger's disorder, 1 with childhood disintegrative disorder, and 3 with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Fourteen subjects had comorbid mental retardation. Behavioral ratings were obtained during two baseline visits and again after 12 weeks of risperidone treatment.


RESULTS
The optimal dose of risperidone for the 18 subjects was 1.8 +/- 1.0 mg/day. On the basis of the global improvement item of the Clinical Global Impression Scale, 12 of 18 subjects were considered responders. Significant improvement was seen in measures of interfering repetitive behavior, aggression and impulsivity, and some elements of impaired social relatedness. The most common side effect was weight gain (range 10 to 35 lb).


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results suggest that risperidone may be effective for improving interfering behavioral symptoms in some children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed before definitive statements of safety and efficacy can be made.
McDougle
C J
CJ
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Holmes
J P
JP
Bronson
M R
MR
Anderson
G M
GM
Volkmar
F R
FR
Price
L H
LH
Cohen
D J
DJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D018967:Risperidone