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 .
A double-blind comparison of clomipramine, desipramine, and placebo in the treatment of autistic disorder.
OBJECTIVE To determine whether clomipramine hydrochloride , a serotonin reuptake blocker with unique anti-obsessional properties , is differentially effective for obsessive-compulsive and stereotyped motor behaviors in autistic disorder compared with placebo and with the noradrenergic tricyclic antidepressant agent , desipramine hydrochloride . DESIGN Following a 2-week , single-blind placebo washout phase , 12 autistic subjects completed a 10-week , double-blind , crossover comparison of clomipramine and placebo , and 12 different subjects completed a similar comparison of clomipramine and desipramine . SETTING Outpatient clinic . PATIENTS A referral sample of 30 male and female autistic patients were enrolled , and 24 completed the study . MEASURES Key outcome measures were the Autism Relevant Subscale of the Children 's Psychiatric Rating Scale , the Modified Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale-Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Subscale , and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale . RESULTS Clomipramine was superior to both placebo and desipramine on ratings of autistic symptoms ( including stereotypies ) , anger , and compulsive , ritualized behaviors ( P < .05 ) , with no differences between desipramine and placebo . Clomipramine was equal to desipramine and both tricyclic agents were superior to placebo for amelioration of hyperactivity . CONCLUSION Biological links between compulsions and stereotyped , repetitive behaviors in autistic disorder should be explored
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 .