Buspirone treatment of aggression and anxiety in mentally retarded patients: a multiple-baseline, placebo lead-in study
Ratey, J.; Sovner, R.; Parks, A.; Rogentine, K.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 52(4): 159-162
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6689 PMID: 2016248 Document Number: 377854
Buspirone, a new anxiolytic agent, was used in a multiple-baseline, placebo lead-in study for the treatment of aggression and anxiety in six mentally retarded adult patients. The findings demonstrate buspirone's effectiveness in reducing aggression and anxiety in a mentally retarded group of subjects without causing deleterious cognitive side effects. The authors review a body of literature on animal and human subjects where buspirone was used in the treatment of aggression and other mental disorders. Unlike neuroleptics and benzodiazepines, buspirone does not cause sedation which can compromise adaptive and intellectual capacities and thus reduce the patient's potential to benefit from training programs.