f patients with infantile autism involves the use of dopamine antagonists. The dopaminergic system of the brain affects motor behaviors. Its abnormalities involve excess motor activity and stereotypes similar to those observed in autistic patients. Intellectually subnormal autistic children, particularly those with severe hyperactivity and stereotypes, were found to have excess dopaminergic activity as measured by high levels of homovanillic acid in the CSF . Thus it seems sensible that the administration of a dopamine antagonists such as haloperidol to autistic patients should result in a decrease motor symptoms such as hyperactivity, fidgetiness, and stereotypes thereby facilitating behavior and learning. Fenfluramine Fenfluramine is an atypical phenylethylamine anorexigenic medication with CNS activity that includes reduction of brain serotonin and serotonin's major metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid . It also increases dopamine turnover as evidenced by an increasing the excretion of its principle metabolite, homovanillic acid (HVA). It is hypothesized that autism is somehow related to a dysfunctional serotonergic system that results in the sensory and perceptual abnormalities observed in these patients. The hypothesis is supported by the observation that 1/3 of autistic children are hyperserotonemic, which is thought to be associated with severe behavioral abnormalities and severe intellectual subnormality. Health Concerns : - Possible dangerous behaviours and rituals such as head banging, cutting, and biting.- Possibility of a severe negative reaction to the medications.- Often people with autism cannot appreciate the consequences of their actions, so they might do things like run into traffic to cross the street or grasp something that was very hot.Physcial or Mental : Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain....
