ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Post-mortem studies have reported abnormalities of the cholinergic system in autism. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and nicotinic receptor modulator, in the treatment of interfering behaviors in children with autism. METHODS: Thirteen medication-free children with autism (mean age, 8.8 +/- 3.5 years) participated in a 12-week, open-label trial of galantamine. Patients were rated monthly by parents on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised, and by a physician using the Children's Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions scale. RESULTS: Patients showed a significant reduction in parent-rated irritability and social withdrawal on the ABC as well as significant improvements in emotional lability and inattention on the Conners' Parent Rating Scale--Revised. Similarly, clinician ratings showed reductions in the anger subscale of the Children's Psychiatric Rating Scale. Eight of 13 participants were rated as responders on the basis of their improvement scores on the Clinical Global Impressions scale. Overall, galantamine was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse effects apart from headaches in one patient. CONCLUSION: In this open trial, galantamine was well-tolerated and appeared to be beneficial for the treatment of interfering behaviors in children with autism, particularly aggression, behavioral dyscontrol, and inattention. Further controlled trials are warranted.
Subject(s)
Autistic Disorder/drug therapy , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Galantamine/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Aggression/drug effects , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/diagnosis , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/drug therapy , Autistic Disorder/diagnosis , Child , Child Behavior Disorders/diagnosis , Child Behavior Disorders/drug therapy , Child, Preschool , Cholinesterase Inhibitors/adverse effects , Comorbidity , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Galantamine/adverse effects , Humans , Irritable Mood/drug effects , Male , Personality Assessment , Prospective Studies , Social BehaviorABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The pattern of dopamine antagonism by metoclopramide suggests benefits in the treatment of tic disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of metoclopramide in the treatment of children and adolescents with tic disorders. METHOD: Twenty-seven medication-free patients (age 11.9 +/- 2.7 years) with Tourette's disorder or a chronic tic disorder participated in an 8-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of metoclopramide. Metoclopramide was started at 5 mg daily and titrated as needed to a maximum dose of 40 mg daily. Tics were rated every 2 weeks, and adverse effects, including weight, cardiac, and laboratory measures, were monitored. RESULTS: After 8 weeks of treatment, subjects receiving metoclopramide showed a 39% reduction in their total tic score on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, while subjects receiving placebo showed only a 13% reduction in tic severity (p = .001). Metoclopramide was well tolerated with no significant laboratory or cardiac changes noted other than an increase in serum prolactin. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this small controlled study suggest that metoclopramide is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for children and adolescents with tic disorders. Further trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety in pediatric patients and adults.
