MODULATION OF SEROTONIN METABOLISM IN SELF-INJURIOUS-BEHAVIOR - AN OPEN STUDY WITH THE HT1 AGONIST ELTOPRAZINE IN MENTAL-RETARDATION

Eltoprazine, a no longer available selective postsynaptically acting 5 HT(1) agonist, was used in the treatment of self-injurious behaviour i n mentally retarded patients. The study had an open, baseline controll ed design extending over a period of one year in 10 patients with chro nic self-injurious behaviour. The results showed a treatment effect in 5 patients after two weeks, followed by behavioural tolerance after e ight weeks of active treatment. Some methodological pitfalls and the p ossible reasons for the emerging tolerance are discussed. The theoreti cal relevance of these observations warrants further investigation of the role of comparable compounds such as azapirones in the treatment o f this behavioural disorder.