BUSPIRONES EFFICACY IN ORGANIC-INDUCED AGGRESSION

The objectives of this study were to (1) identify and characterize hos pitalized patients with an organic-related psychiatric diagnosis who h ad received buspirone therapy and (2) assess the effect of buspirone o n aggressive behaviors. A retrospective medical records review was con ducted on all patients who were admitted to our psychiatric/rehabilita tion facility over a 36-month period and who had received buspirone th erapy. Monthly behavioral therapy records were used to determine the q uality and quantity of aggressive-related behaviors. Study endpoint wa s reached in each subject when buspirone was discontinued or when reco rds were unavailable. Twenty subjects, ranging in age from 15 to 55 ye ars old (mu = 26.1 +/- 9.8), were identified for study. Nine (90%) of 10 subjects for whom data were available for at least 3 months showed an improvement in behavior by study endpoint, and 6 (60%) showed at le ast a 50% reduction in behavioral symptoms by study endpoint. Results from this study suggest that buspirone is well tolerated and may be ef fective in the treatment of aggressive and other maladaptive behaviors in individuals with an organic component to their psychiatric illness , particularly traumatic brain injury. Prospective, controlled trials are needed to validate these findings.