Developmental disorders not otherwise specified

ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder BP, blood pressure CLO, clomipramine FLX, fluoxetine IMP, imipramine N, total number of subjects in study ( ), number of preschool-age subjects in study P, pulse rate PDD-NOS, pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified SE, side effect VNF, venlafaxine. DSM-III-R or DSM-IV criteria used not specified by authors. 

Adults with autistic disorder (n = 17) or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (n = 14) participated in a randomized, 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of risperidone (41). Among those who completed the study, risperidone (n = 14) was superior to placebo (n = 16) in reducing the symptoms of autism, and the most prominent adverse effect was mild transient sedation during the initial phase of drug administration. Abnormal gait was reported in one patient taking risperidone. 

Autism and the related disorders Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD NOS) and Asperger syndrome (AS) are neurodevelopmental conditions with strong heritability (Muhle et ah, 2004) characterized by impairment in social-communicative skills and a restricted and repetitive pattern of interests and behaviours. Together they are broadly referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASD) (APA, 2000). 

Today, autism terminology includes pervasive development disorder (PDD), or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which in turn comprises five diagnostic categories autism, Rett syndrome, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). PDD is also called broad autism, while the more severe autism per se is called narrow autism, as illustrated in John s case. 

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