title: Risperidone for the core symptom domains of autism: results from the study by the autism network of the research units on pediatric psychopharmacology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Risperidone has been found efficacious for decreasing severe tantrums, aggression, and self-injurious behavior in children and adolescents with autistic disorder (autism). The authors report on whether risperidone improves the core symptoms of autism, social and communication impairment and repetitive and stereotyped behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  The database from an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (N=101) and 16-week open-label continuation study (N=63) of risperidone for children and adolescents with autism was used to test for drug effects on secondary outcome measures: scores on the Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Rating Scale, the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, and the maladaptive behavior domain of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to placebo, risperidone led to a significantly greater reduction in the overall score on the Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Rating Scale, as well as the scores on the subscales for sensory motor behaviors (subscale I), affectual reactions (subscale III), and sensory responses (subscale IV). No statistically significant difference was observed, however, on the subscale for social relatedness (subscale II) or language (subscale V). Risperidone also resulted in significantly greater reductions in scores on the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Vineland maladaptive behavior domain. This pattern of treatment response was maintained for 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Risperidone led to significant improvements in the restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities of autistic children but did not significantly change their deficit in social interaction and communication. Further research is necessary to develop effective treatments for the core social and communicative impairments of autism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-4800, USA. cmcdougl@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McDougle
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scahill
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Aman
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tierney
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: L Eugene
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Posey
authors.forename: Andrès
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Jaswinder K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Ghuman
authors.forename: Bhavik
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Shirley Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: Naomi B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Swiezy
authors.forename: Nilda M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hollway
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: McGough
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vitiello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003147:Communication Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D018967:Risperidone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D019956:Stereotypic Movement Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D018967:Risperidone