SAN FRANCISCO, April 25 -- While the behavioral symptoms of autism have been treated with a wide spectrum of medications, atypical antipsychotics may be the most effective drug class.
So said Lawrence D. Scahill, Ph.D., of Yale University, in a presentation here at the U.S. Psychiatric and Mental Health Congress regional extension.
Serious behavioral problems accompany autism in 20% to 30% of cases and include aggression, tantrums and self-injury.
To treat these and as well as the repetitive behaviors intrinsic to autism spectrum disorders, clinicians have tried a laundry list of medications ranging from stimulants to anticonvulsants to the substance abuse drug naltrexone(Drug information on naltrexone) (Vivitrol).
