Effect of naltrexone upon self-injurious behavior, learning and activity: a case study.

ABSTRACT

Naltrexone significantly attenuated self-injurious behavior in a 20-year-old mildly retarded autistic male patient. The patient was videotaped daily and behavior was evaluated with a time-sampling procedure. Behavioral ratings of SIB frequency, SIB severity, and activity were collected automatically with a computerized system. Learning and memory were tested on a weekly basis with a modification of a paired associate learning test (PALT). Treatment with naltrexone resulted in (a) attenuation of SIB in the unstructured setting and (b) improvements in learning and memory without influencing activity levels.