AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence of effect of SSRIs in children and emerging evidence of harm .
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders ( ASD ) are characterised by abnormalities in social interaction and communication skills , as well as stereotypic behaviours and restricted activities and interests .
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) are prescribed for the treatment of conditions often comorbid with ASD such as depression , anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviours .
OBJECTIVES To determine if treatment with an SSRI:1 .
improves the core features of autism ( social interaction , communication and behavioural problems);2 .
improves other non-core aspects of behaviour or function such as self-injurious behaviour;3 .
improves the quality of life of adults or children and their carers;4 .
has short- and long-term effects on outcome ; 5 .
causes harm .
Sertraline in adults with pervasive developmental disorders: a prospective open-label investigation.
The short-term efficacy and tolerability of sertraline for adults with pervasive developmental disorders ( PDDs ) were assessed in this investigation . Forty-two adults with PDDs ( autistic disorder , N = 22 ; Asperger 's disorder , N = 6 ; and PDD not otherwise specified [ NOS ] , N = 14 ) participated in a 12-week , open-label , systematic trial of sertraline .  Behavioral ratings of repetitive symptoms , aggression , and social relatedness were obtained at baseline and after 4 , 8 , and 12 weeks of sertraline administration . Twenty-four ( 57 % ) of 42 patients showed significant improvement , primarily in repetitive and aggressive symptoms . Statistically significant changes in measures of social relatedness did not occur . Patients with autistic disorder and PDD NOS did significantly better than those with Asperger 's disorder . Based on global improvement item criteria from the Clinical Global Impression Scale , 15 of 22 ( 68 % ) patients with autistic disorder , none of six ( 0 % ) patients with Asperger 's disorder , and 9 of 14 ( 64 % ) patients with PDD NOS were categorized as treatment responders . Sertraline was well tolerated ; no adverse cardiovascular effects , extrapyramidal symptoms , or seizures were identified . These findings suggested that sertraline may be an effective treatment for interfering repetitive and aggressive symptoms in adults with PDDs . Definitive statements about the efficacy and tolerability of sertraline for treating adults with PDDs must await results from double-blind , placebo-controlled trials . These preliminary results should not be generalized to include children and adolescents with PDDs
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence of effect of SSRIs in children and emerging evidence of harm .
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorders ( ASD ) are characterised by abnormalities in social interaction and communication skills , as well as stereotypic behaviours and restricted activities and interests .
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs ) are prescribed for the treatment of conditions often comorbid with ASD such as depression , anxiety and obsessive-compulsive behaviours .
OBJECTIVES To determine if treatment with an SSRI:1 .
improves the core features of autism ( social interaction , communication and behavioural problems);2 .
improves other non-core aspects of behaviour or function such as self-injurious behaviour;3 .
improves the quality of life of adults or children and their carers;4 .
has short- and long-term effects on outcome ; 5 .
causes harm .