Citation

do Prado-Lima P, Knijnik L, Juruena M, Padilla A. J. Clin. Pharm. Ther. 2001; 26(4): 279-282.

Affiliation

The Behaviour Neurobiology Research Group, Neuroscience Laboratory, PUC-RS and Hospital Psiquiátrico São Pedro, Porto Alegre, Brazil. paspl@conex.com.br

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11493370

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To find out in child abusing mothers whether aggressiveness in general, but which is directed towards their children in particular, could be reduced by giving lithium. METHOD: An open trial of lithium in eight child-abusing mothers. Assessment of aggression using Yudofsky's Overt Aggression Scale. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.05) in aggressiveness to the children and to inanimate objects. CONCLUSION: Lithium could be an effective adjunct in the social and psychological treatment of parents who abuse their children. An adequately powered controlled study testing lithium against placebo over a longer period of treatment and observation would be useful.

Language: en