Gabapentin for self-injurious behavior in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Self-injurious behavior is a common clinical problem in children with Lesch -Nyhan syndrome, an X-linked disorder of purine metabolism. This behavior i s not observed in other conditions associated with increased serum concentr ations of uric acid, hypoxanthine, and xanthine, Various neurotransmitters appear to play a pivotal role in self-injurious behavior. The authors prese nt a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, whose self-injurious behavior was e ffectively treated with gabapentin, and discuss possible mechanisms of acti on. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.