Risperidone

Recent articles

Q&A with W. David Lohr: Antipsychotics, polypharmacy among autistic preschoolers

Hundreds of preschool-aged children in Kentucky began taking antipsychotic medicines in 2012, according to an analysis of Medicaid records. Lohr discusses what it will it take to get them behavioral therapies instead.

By Niko McCarty
21 September 2021 | 3 min read
Pregnant woman holding two white pills in her hand.

Prenatal exposure to antipsychotic medication does not increase odds of autism, ADHD

Children born to mothers who take antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy are not more likely to have autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or to be born preterm or underweight.

By Peter Hess
20 August 2021 | 2 min read
Brain and marijuana leaves

Q&A with Eric Hollander: Cannabis treatments for autism

As cannabis prohibition slowly lifts in the United States, scientists and families in the autism community are increasingly turning to the drug and its constituent compounds to ease autism-related difficulties, including seizures and irritability.

By Peter Hess
8 June 2021 | 6 min read

How aripiprazole’s promise for treating autism fell short

Aripiprazole, marketed as Abilify, is widely thought to be safer than risperidone, the only other drug approved for use in autistic children. A decade’s worth of data suggests that is not true.

By Hannah Furfaro
19 February 2020 | 24 min read
researchers, doctors and others work together to help a family and their autistic child. Family is at the center of a flower, and the researchers are moving the petals into place.

Medical ‘home’ programs offer coordinated care for autistic people

A Utah program provides comprehensive care for autistic people across the lifespan and engages families in the decision-making.

By Kathleen Campbell, Paul Carbone
13 August 2019 | 5 min read

Clinicians should consider off-label treatments for autism

Clinicians need a more consistent and evidence-based approach to prescribing antipsychotics to children and adolescents with autism.

By Maurizio Bonati
7 May 2019 | 5 min read
girl in medical setting

Psychotropic drugs frequently prescribed for autistic people

About one in three autistic people in the United Kingdom is prescribed drugs designed to alter brain function.

By Nicholette Zeliadt
11 February 2019 | 4 min read

Revelando los secretos del síndrome X frágil en Colombia

Una remota ciudad colombiana es el hogar del grupo más grande de personas con síndrome de X frágil. Los científicos están aprendiendo de ellos y tratando de ayudar.

By Hannah Furfaro
31 January 2019 | 18 min read
Juan Pablo Quintero, Sara Quintero, Soledad Quintero, Rosario Quintero, Yeison Quintero, pose for a group portrait in Ricaurte, Valle del Cauca, on July 28, 2018.

Unlocking the secrets of fragile X in Colombia

A remote Colombian town is home to the world's largest cluster of people with fragile X syndrome. Scientists are learning from them — and trying to help.

By Hannah Furfaro
10 October 2018 | 15 min read
Photo: Autistic woman Becky Audette lies on a couch under a purple blanket.

Rebooting Becky’s brain

An electrical brain implant all but erased the obsessions that had consumed Becky Audette, years after her autism diagnosis. Could similar implants help other people with severe autism?

By Ingrid Wickelgren
12 September 2018 | 28 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Abstract illustration of a human brain.

‘Elusive Cures: Why Neuroscience Hasn’t Solved Brain Disorders—and How We Can Change That,’ an excerpt

In her new book, published today, neuroscientist Nicole Rust takes us on her personal quest to spell out the brain research community's "Grand Plan."

By Nicole Rust
10 June 2025 | 9 min read
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Convergent effects of autism-linked genes in zebrafish; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 9 June.

By Jill Adams
10 June 2025 | 2 min read
Research image containing repeated structures, suggesting potential image manipulation.

More than two dozen papers by neural tube researcher come under scrutiny

One of the studies, published in 2021 in Science Advances, received an editorial expression of concern on 21 May, after the journal learned that an institutional review of alleged image problems is underway.

By Claudia López Lloreda
9 June 2025 | 6 min read