Pharmacological treatment of self-injurious behavior in mentally retarded persons. 1985

N N Singh, and C J Millichamp

Self-injury is a severe behavioral problem commonly observed in institutionalized mentally retarded individuals. While several forms of therapy are available, pharmacological treatment is most often used in institutions to control this behavior. This paper evaluated the clinical and experimental literature on the effects of pharmacotherapy for self-injury. Few general conclusions could be drawn mainly due to the small number of studies and the general lack of methodological rigor of these studies. However, there was some indication that antipsychotics and antimanics may prove to be useful in the treatment of self-injury and warrant further investigation. Several areas of future research were discussed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008094 Lithium An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER. Lithium-7,Lithium 7
D008297 Male Males
D008607 Intellectual Disability Subnormal intellectual functioning which originates during the developmental period. This has multiple potential etiologies, including genetic defects and perinatal insults. Intelligence quotient (IQ) scores are commonly used to determine whether an individual has an intellectual disability. IQ scores between 70 and 79 are in the borderline range. Scores below 67 are in the disabled range. (from Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, p28) Disability, Intellectual,Idiocy,Mental Retardation,Retardation, Mental,Deficiency, Mental,Intellectual Development Disorder,Mental Deficiency,Mental Retardation, Psychosocial,Deficiencies, Mental,Development Disorder, Intellectual,Development Disorders, Intellectual,Disabilities, Intellectual,Disorder, Intellectual Development,Disorders, Intellectual Development,Intellectual Development Disorders,Intellectual Disabilities,Mental Deficiencies,Mental Retardations, Psychosocial,Psychosocial Mental Retardation,Psychosocial Mental Retardations,Retardation, Psychosocial Mental,Retardations, Psychosocial Mental
D008653 Mesoridazine A phenothiazine antipsychotic with effects similar to CHLORPROMAZINE. Serentil
D008774 Methylphenidate A central nervous system stimulant used most commonly in the treatment of ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER in children and for NARCOLEPSY. Its mechanisms appear to be similar to those of DEXTROAMPHETAMINE. The d-isomer of this drug is referred to as DEXMETHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE. Centedrin,Concerta,Daytrana,Equasym,Metadate,Methylin,Methylphenidate Hydrochloride,Phenidylate,Ritalin,Ritalin-SR,Ritaline,Tsentedrin,Hydrochloride, Methylphenidate,Ritalin SR
D010640 Phenothiazines Compounds containing dibenzo-1,4-thiazine. Some of them are neuroactive.
D011619 Psychotropic Drugs A loosely defined grouping of drugs that have effects on psychological function. Here the psychotropic agents include the antidepressive agents, hallucinogens, and tranquilizing agents (including the antipsychotics and anti-anxiety agents). Psychoactive Agent,Psychoactive Agents,Psychoactive Drug,Psychopharmaceutical,Psychopharmaceuticals,Psychotropic Drug,Psychoactive Drugs,Agent, Psychoactive,Agents, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychoactive,Drug, Psychotropic,Drugs, Psychoactive,Drugs, Psychotropic
D012110 Reserpine An alkaloid found in the roots of Rauwolfia serpentina and R. vomitoria. Reserpine inhibits the uptake of norepinephrine into storage vesicles resulting in depletion of catecholamines and serotonin from central and peripheral axon terminals. It has been used as an antihypertensive and an antipsychotic as well as a research tool, but its adverse effects limit its clinical use. Raunervil,Raupasil,Rausedil,Rausedyl,Serpasil,Serpivite,V-Serp,V Serp
D002090 Butyrophenones Compounds containing phenyl-1-butanone.
D002746 Chlorpromazine The prototypical phenothiazine antipsychotic drug. Like the other drugs in this class chlorpromazine's antipsychotic actions are thought to be due to long-term adaptation by the brain to blocking DOPAMINE RECEPTORS. Chlorpromazine has several other actions and therapeutic uses, including as an antiemetic and in the treatment of intractable hiccup. Aminazine,Chlorazine,Chlordelazine,Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride,Contomin,Fenactil,Largactil,Propaphenin,Thorazine,Hydrochloride, Chlorpromazine

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