Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are persistent, heterogeneous conditions that display many comorbid problems. Especially maladaptive behaviours like increased irritability, aggression, impulsivity and self-injurious behaviours are perceived as enormously stressful and can interfere with interventions targeting social and communication deficits. Medication treatments focussing on troubling comorbid problems in ASD can be fundamentally ameliorative, although core features of the disorder itself cannot be sufficiently treated. While atypical antipsychotics and stimulant medication have been proven to be effective in large multisite networks of ASD, serotonin reuptake inhibitors are of limited efficacy. Novel pharmacotherapies to improve social impairment are in the early stages of research.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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English Abstract
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Review
MeSH terms
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Aggression / drug effects
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Aggression / psychology
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Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
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Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
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Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / drug therapy
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Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
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Central Nervous System Stimulants / adverse effects
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Central Nervous System Stimulants / therapeutic use
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Child
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Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / diagnosis
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Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / drug therapy*
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Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / psychology
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Communication
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Comorbidity
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Humans
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Psychotropic Drugs / adverse effects
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Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use*
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
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Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Social Behavior
Substances
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Antidepressive Agents
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Antipsychotic Agents
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Central Nervous System Stimulants
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Psychotropic Drugs
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Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors