Buspirone in the management of anxiety and irritability in children with pervasive developmental disorders: results of an open-label study.
BACKGROUND
We evaluated the efficacy and safety of buspirone in the management of anxiety and irritability in children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD).


METHODS
Twenty-two subjects, 6 to 17 years old, with DSM-III-R diagnosed PDD-NOS (N = 20) or autistic disorder (N = 2), were included. They were treated with buspirone in dosages ranging from 15 to 45 mg/day in an open-label trial lasting 6 to 8 weeks. Responders continued buspirone treatment and were followed up for up to 12 months.


RESULTS
Nine subjects had a marked therapeutic response and 7 subjects a moderate response on the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale after 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Side effects were minimal, except for 1 patient who developed abnormal involuntary movements.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that buspirone may be useful for treating symptoms of anxiety and irritability in children with PDD.
Buitelaar
J K
JK
Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences, Utrect, The Netherlands.
van der Gaag
R J
RJ
van der Hoeven
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002065:Buspirone