Pervasive developmental disorder not

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. 

Most structured interviews do not ascertain information about conditions that used to be on axis II or axis III pervasive developmental disorders, learning and language disorders, or medical or neurological disorders. 

Pervasive developmental disorder NOS is diagnosed when there is a severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction. Impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication skills and stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities may be present, but the criteria are not met for a specific PDD, schizophrenia, schizotypal personality disorder. 

Note Doses are provided as general guidelines only, and are not meant to be definitive. All doses must be individualized and monitored through appropriate clinical and/or laboratory means. ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder bid, twice daily c, capsule CYP, cytochrome P450 EKG electrocardiogram FDA, Food and Drug Administration IM, intramuscular MDD, major depressive disorder OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder PDD, pervasive developmental disorder qd, once daily qhs each bedtime qoWk, every other week t, tablet tid, three times daily TS, Tourette s syndrome WBC, white blood cell count. 

G. The fear or avoidance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance [e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition and is not better accounted for by another mental disorder [e.g., panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, a pervasive developmental disorder, or schizoid personality disorder). 

Pervasive developmental disorders with impairment in reciprocal social interaction or verbal and nonverbal communication skills which do not satisfy the criteria of the other disorders considered inside the spectrum. 

ADHD should not be diagnosed if the symptoms can be better accounted for by other mental disorders, such as mood disorder, Tourette s syndrome, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder, personality disorder, personality change due to a general medical condition, or a substance-related disorder (e.g., due to bronchodilators, isoniazid, akathisia from neuroleptics). Moreover, ADHD is not diagnosed when symptoms occur exclusively during the course of a pervasive developmental disorder or psychotic disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Conditions other than ADHD, such as neurofibromatosis, fetal alcohol syndrome and lead poisoning, of which ADHD features are typical symptoms (Pearl et al., 2001), should also be ruled out. 

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