title: A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study of olanzapine in childhood/adolescent pervasive developmental disorder.
abstract: Atypical antipsychotics have been shown to improve disruptive and repetitive behaviors in pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), but they require assessment of potential side effects. This is the first placebo-controlled trial of olanzapine in the treatment of children and adolescents with PDD. Eleven patients with a diagnosis of either autism, Asperger's syndrome, or PDD not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and aged 6-14 years were randomized into an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel treatment study with olanzapine. There was a significant linear trend x group interaction on the Clinical Global Impressions- Improvement (CGI-I) and 50% on olanzapine versus 20% on placebo were responders. Olanzapine was associated with significant weight gain (7.5 +/- 4.8 lbs vs. 1.5 +/- 1.5 lbs on placebo). Olanzapine may be a promising treatment for improving global functioning of PDDs, but the risk of significant weight gain remains a concern. Additional studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of olanzapine in the treatment of children with PDD.
authors.affiliation: Seaver and NY Autism Center of Excellence, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, New York 10029, USA. eric.hollander@mssm.edu
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hollander
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wasserman
authors.forename: Erika N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chaplin
authors.forename: Melissa L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schapiro
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zagursky
authors.forename: Sherie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Novotny
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000077152:Olanzapine; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine