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Naltrexone improves learning and attention in self-injurious individuals with developmental disabilities

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Abstract

In the primary study, 10 patients were enrolled in a 10-week double-blind evaluation of the effectiveness of naltrexone in reducing self-injurious behavior (SIB) in adults with developmental disabilities. Within this study, the effects of naltrexone on acquisition of a paired associates task were investigated. The effects of three doses of naltrexone (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg orally) were tested on separate weeks. Learning evaluations were conducted on Wednesday of each week. Naltrexone improved measures of independence and attention, and decreased trial rate.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 92717, Irvine, California

    Derek V. Taylor, Curt A. Sandman & William P. Hetrick

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of California, 92717, Irvine, California

    Paul Touchette & Jennifer L. Barron

  3. State Developmental Research Institute, Fairview, 92626, Costa Mesa, California

    Derek V. Taylor, Curt A. Sandman, Paul Touchette, William P. Hetrick & Jennifer L. Barron

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  1. Derek V. Taylor
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  4. William P. Hetrick
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  5. Jennifer L. Barron
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Taylor, D.V., Sandman, C.A., Touchette, P. et al. Naltrexone improves learning and attention in self-injurious individuals with developmental disabilities. J Dev Phys Disabil 5, 29–42 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01046596

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