PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT-PSYCHIATRY - A REVIEW OF THE PAST 7 YEARS .1.

Objective: To present a critical overview of the literature published in the past 7 years on the efficacy and safety of psychoactive agents in mental retardation with associated psychiatric disorders, autistic disorder, Tourette's disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Method: Double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trials and open studies were reviewed and selected reports presented. Results: The literature review reveals that progress has been made in the psychopharmacological treatment of the above conditions, This is partly because more studies use larger sample sizes and a narrower age range of diagnostically homogeneous patients and use a more sophisticated methodology than in previous years. Greater attention is being paid to a critical assessment of psychoactive agents and to their safety, to the efficacy as well as to the effectiveness of drugs. The g-year National Plan for Research on Child and Adolescent Mental Disorders (1991) based on the Institute of Medicine Report (1989) already has had a significant impact on psychopharmacology research. Conclusions: Advances in methodology, initiatives of the National Institute of Mental Health, and the advent of DSR-IV should continue to enhance research and improve pharmacotherapy in clinical practice.