Psychopharmacologic management of serious behavioral disturbance in ASD.
Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit serious behavioral disturbance (irritability) including severe tantrums, aggression, and self-injury that requires pharmacologic management. Research focused on the treatment of severe irritability has primarily involved the atypical antipsychotics, including risperidone and aripiprazole. Anticonvulsants have also been investigated for targeting serious behavioral disturbance; however findings have been mixed. Advances in the pharmacotherapy of irritability in ASD continue to inform practice. Research is needed to develop safer and more effective drug treatments for serious behavioral disturbance in this population.
Department of Psychiatry, Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Room 4300, 705 Riley Hospital Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5200, USA. Electronic address: kstigler@iupui.edu.
Kimberly A
KA
Stigler
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood / Q000187:drug effects*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy
D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
Aggression; Autism; Autism spectrum disorders; Irritability; Psychopharmacology; Self-injury