The Effect of Propranolol on Uncontrolled Rage Outbursts in Children and Adolescents with Organic Brain Dysfunction

DANIEL T. WILLIAMS, RAY MEHL, STUART YUDOFSKY, DAVID ADAMS, BRUCE ROSEMAN

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Abstract

This paper reviews our experience using propranolol, a β-adrenergic blocking agent, in 30 patients who had uncontrolled rage outbursts over a period of at least 6 months, starting in childhood or adolescence. All of these patients had concomitant organic brain dysfunction, ranging from minimal brain dysfunction to severe, uncontrolled seizures. All patients had prior unsuccessful medication treatment, consisting of trials on stimulants, neuroleptics, anticonvulsants, or combinations of these. The majority of patients also had prior psychotherapeutic intervention, all without success. In our retrospective study, more than 75% of the patients demonstrated moderate to marked improvement in control of rage outbursts and aggressive behavior. These data point to the merits of a controlled prospective study of the use of propranolol in treating neurologically impaired children and adolescents with uncontrolled rage outbursts. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 21, 2:129–135, 1982.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-135
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry
Volume21
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1982

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