Olanzapine and Autism Ranking:

Aims and Claims

Aims

The exact mechanism by which olanzapine works is unknown but some people believe it can be used to change the levels of dopamine and serotonin in the central nervous system. They believe that this will have beneficial effects, including a reduction in hyperactivity, aggression, and repetitive behaviours.

Claims

There have been various claims made for olanzapine as a treatment for autistic people.  For example,

• Fidoa A., Al-Saadb S. (2008) reported ‘The study shows that olanzapine treatment can be beneficial in alleviating some behavioral symptoms (irritability, hyperactivity/noncompliance and lethargy/withdrawal) associated with autism’
• Hollander E. et al. (2006) reported ‘Olanzapine may be a promising treatment for improving global functioning of PDDs,’
• Kemner C. et al. (2002) reported ‘significant improvement on three subscales of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (Irritability, Hyperactivity, and Excessive Speech) and the TARGET i.e. communication’
• Potenza M. et al. (1999) reported ‘Significant improvements in overall symptoms of autism, motor restlessness or hyperactivity, social relatedness, affectual reactions, sensory responses, language usage, self-injurious behavior, aggression, irritability or anger, anxiety, and depression were observed. Significant changes in repetitive behaviors were not observed for the group.’
• Stavrakaki C.,  Antochi R.,  Emery P.C. (2004) reported 'All patients showed clinically significant improvements in behavioural symptoms, measured both clinically using the CGI scale and by the GAF scale.'
• Tan Q. et al. (2006) reported 'Modified electroconvulsive treatment together with olanzapine caused a dramatic clinical improvement [in catatonia].'

Updated

17 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Feb 2016

Next Review

01 Feb 2019