title: Effects of zuclopenthixol on aggressive disruptive behavior in adults with mental retardation--a 2-year follow-up on a withdrawal study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  People with mental retardation often display aggressive behavior against themselves or others making care within institutions or foster families difficult. Due to a lack of viable alternatives, antipsychotics of the first and second generations are often used for long-term treatment despite the fact that only data about short-term treatment exist.
  
  
  METHODS
  A short-time withdrawal trial of 12 weeks (n = 39) was extended at open label to 2 years. 31 patients received zuclopenthixol after the end of the withdrawal and were examined using the same instruments as in the withdrawal period (DAS, MOAS, CGI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients still treated with zuclopenthixol after 2 years (n = 21) benefitted, compared to the drop-outs (n = 10). Analyses of time trends revealed an early effect of zuclopenthixol which could not be enhanced afterwards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zuclopenthixol proved to be safe and effective to keep a lower rate of aggressive behavior in adults with mental retardation also over a longer period of time.
authors: Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany. frank.haessler@med.uni-rostock.de
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Hässler
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Glaser
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Reis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003006:Clopenthixol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003006:Clopenthixol