s colleagues to test fluvoxamine for the treatment of autistic disorders in adults. The researcher performed a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effects of fluvoxamine on the behavior of adults with autism. The study included 30 adults (27 men and three women) with symptoms that were at least moderately severe as defined by the global severity of illness rating on the Clinical Global Impression Scale. Each patient participated in an extensive behavior analysis, using a variety of assessment scales. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or fluvoxamine, starting at a dosage of 50 mg daily. The dosage was increased by 50 mg every three to four days, to a maximum dosage of 300 mg daily, until maximum response was obtained. After 3 weeks, a maximum dosage was achieved and the patient was maintained on this dosage for at least nine weeks. Reassessment of behavior occurred at four, eight and 12 weeks after the start of the study. No significant differences in age, sex distribution, behavior or IQ scores were observed between the two groups at baseline. Beginning at week 4, there was an overall significant improvement in the fluvoxamine group that continued throughout the study period. Specifically, eight (53%) of the 15 patients in the fluvoxamine group were considered responders, versus none in the placebo group. When particular symptoms in individuals with autism were examined, fluvoxamine was found to by superior to placebo in all of the areas considered: repetitive thoughts and behaviors decreased, as did maladaptive behaviors and aggressive symptoms. Language usage also improved. From their testing, the authors conclude that fluvoxamine may be a useful treatment in adults with autism, because of its ability to improve behaviors as well as its low incidence of adverse effects (Huffman, 1997).As testing in autism increases, the reliability and validity with which general practit...
