Affiliations: Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric
Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh,
PA, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Antonio Y. Hardan, M.D., Western Psychiatric
Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Tel.: +1
412 246 6797; Fax: +1 412 235 5446; E-mail: hardanay@upmc.edu
Abstract: A retrospective study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and
tolerability of quetiapine in children and adolescents with subaverage replaced
with IQ. Through a chart review conducted in a specialized outpatient clinic,
five patients were identified (three males, two females; mean age = 16 ±
3.7 years); three were judged to be responders. Patients were included if
concomitant medications remained unchanged during the titration and maintenance
periods. Treatment duration was 20 ± 4 weeks; dose was 620 ± 205
mg/day. Improvements were observed in the conduct and hyperactivity subscales
of the Conners Parent Rating Scale, routinely completed by the same caregiver.
No differences were noted in anxiety, inattention, learning, and psychosomatic
subscales. None of the patients discontinued the medication due to adverse
events, but two experienced sedation. Quetiapine may be beneficial for treating
associated symptoms of mental retardation; however, prospective and controlled
studies are needed to assess further its efficacy and safety.
