Increased repetitive behaviours and prolactin responsivity to oral m-chlorophenylpiperazine in adults with autism spectrum disorders.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by dysfunction in three primary behavioural domains: repetitive behaviours, social deficits, and language abnormalities. There is evidence that abnormalities exist in the serotonin (5-HT) system in autism spectrum patients. Furthermore, 5-HT is known to play a role in repetitive and social behaviours. This study examined the effect of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) on repetitive behaviours and prolactin response in 11 adults with autism or Aspergers disorder and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy controls via randomized double-blind, m-CPP and placebo challenges. The primary outcome measure was an instrument rating six repetitive behaviours: need to know, repeating, ordering, need to tell/ask, self-injury, and touching. Patients with autism spectrum disorders showed a significant increase in repetitive behaviours at end-point following oral m-CPP in comparison to placebo. Additionally subjects with autism spectrum disorders showed a significantly increased prolactin response to m-CPP compared to normal controls, with neither group responding to placebo. This study provides further evidence for altered 5-HT sensitivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as well as a possible relationship between repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorders and abnormalities in the 5-HT system.
Novotny
Sherie
S
Department of Psychiatry, Seaver Autism Research Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
Hollander
Eric
E
Phillips
Ann
A
Allen
Andrea
A
Wasserman
Stacey
S
Iyengar
Rupa
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012919:Social Behavior
D010879:Piperazines; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D011388:Prolactin; C015068:1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine