J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1994; 6:23-29
Copyright © 1994 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
A survey of the phenomenology and pharmacotherapy of compulsive and impulsive-aggressive symptoms in Prader-Willi syndrome
DJ Stein, J Keating, HJ Zar and E Hollander
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York.
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a congenital disorder characterized by
hyperphagia as well as by other behavioral disturbances such as self-
mutilation and temper outbursts. Some of these symptoms have been reported
to respond to psychotropic medications. A systematic survey was conducted
to gather information on the phenomenology and pharmacotherapy of
compulsive and impulsive-aggressive symptoms in PWS. Both compulsive and
impulsive-aggressive symptoms are frequent in this population.
Pharmacotherapeutic intervention may have a role in the management of these
symptoms. Rigorous diagnostic and treatment studies should be undertaken in
this population.
