EFFECTIVENESS OF ZUCLOPENTHIXOL COMPARED WITH HALOPERIDOL IN THE TREATMENT OF BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES IN LEARNING-DISABLED PATIENTS

Background. We compared the efficacy of two neuroleptics with differen t receptor profiles (zuclopenthixol and haloperidol) in learning disab led patients with behavioural disturbance. Method. A double-blind cros sover study (2 x 8 weeks; n = 34), interrupted by a two-week single-bl ind washout period, was employed. Assessments included the Schedule fo r Handicaps. Behaviour, and Skills (SHES) and Clinical Global Impressi on (CGI). Results. The SHES score was significantly reduced for the zu clopenthixol cohort only. Endpoint analysis between the two drugs also showed an enhanced effect for zuclopenthixol over haloperidol. CGI sc ores did not reveal significant differences between the two drugs. Con clusion. Zuclopenthixol may be superior to haloperidol for the treatme nt of behavioural disturbances in mentally retarded subjects.