PLACEBO, DOUBLE-BLIND EVALUATION OF LONG-TERM NALTREXONE TREATMENT EFFECTS FOR ADULTS WITH MENTAL-RETARDATION AND SELF-INJURY

This study evaluated the effects of naltrexone treatment for adults wi th mental retardation and self-injury across, a selection of dose leve ls, target behaviors, subjects and treatment phase durations. Statisti cal analysis of group results revealed a significant reduction in self -injury rate during naltrexone treatment. However, analysis of single- subject data indicated that only two of the nine subjects assessed dem onstrated a significant and maintained suppression of self-injury rate associated with naltrexone treatment. The positive response of these two subjects occurred at the higher naltrexone dose level (100 mg/day) and appeared to be related to increased bioavailability of 6-beta-nal trexol, the active metabolite of naltrexone. Four subjects demonstrate d naltrexone-related reductions in stereotypy, and one subject demonst rated naltrexone-related increases in adaptive material interaction. G iven the wealth of previous research on naltrexone treatment of self-i njury, present findings are discussed in relation to those of previous studies that have found more positive results.