A twenty-one month trial of the use of baclofen (Lioresal) in mental defective patients who exhibit self-injurious or other undesirable behaviour is reported. The first observed effect was in the mood of the patients who mostly became calmer and happier: subsequently many showed a diminution in their undesirable behaviour but hyperkinesis was not helped. A few patients maintained the improvement after stopping the drug, but in most it has had to be continued, sometimes with an increase in dosage. Side-effects are discussed.
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