Abstract
Two patients with infantile autism by DSM-III criteria and with atypical bipolar symptomatology were treated with lithium carbonate. Both children demonstrated a significant response with levels above 1.0mEq/liter. Factors that may be useful in discovering patients with autism who may respond to lithium treatment include a family history of bipolar illness; extreme hyperactivity not responsive to a stimulant; a definite cyclic component to symptomatic behaviors; sustained laughter, irritability, or giddiness that is not stereotypic; and/or the presence of many or all of the symptom criteria for bipolar disorder.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 401-405 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 1987 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Pharmacology (medical)