title: Atomoxetine in autism spectrum disorder: no effects on social functioning; some beneficial effects on stereotyped behaviors, inappropriate speech, and fear of change.
abstract: Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term treatment effects of atomoxetine on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in children and adolescents with both ASD and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 97 patients 6-17 years of age, with ASD and ADHD, were treated with 1.2 mg/kg/day of atomoxetine during an 8 week double-blind placebo-controlled period. Here, we investigated effects on two parent-based secondary outcome measures, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Children's Social Behavior Questionnaire (CSBQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 8 weeks of double-blind treatment, atomoxetine administration was associated with significant treatment effects on the ABC subscales Hyperactivity, Inappropriate Speech, and Stereotypic Behavior, and on the CSBQ subscale Fear for Changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study results indicate no beneficial effects of atomoxetine on social functioning. However, atomoxetine may ameliorate restricted and stereotyped behaviors and communication. This study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ) under registration number NCT00380692.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen , The Netherlands .
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harfterkamp
authors.forename: Jan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Buitelaar
authors.forename: Ruud B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Minderaa
authors.forename: Gigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van de Loo-Neus
authors.forename: Rutger-Jan
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van der Gaag
authors.forename: Pieter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hoekstra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012919:Social Behavior; D013060:Speech / Q000187:drug effects*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride