Buspirone for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Down Syndrome: 3 Cases

Yamini J Howe; Robyn P Thom; Erin E Notson; Christopher J McDougle; Michelle L Palumbo

doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000000970

Buspirone for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Down Syndrome: 3 Cases

J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2022 Jan 1;43(1):38-43. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000970.

Authors

Yamini J Howe^{1

2

3}, Robyn P Thom^{1

2

4}, Erin E Notson⁵, Christopher J McDougle^{1

2

4}, Michelle L Palumbo^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
² Lurie Center for Autism, Lexington, MA.
³ Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
⁵ Oak Creek Franklin Joint School District, Oak Creek, WI.

PMID: 33965971
DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000970

Abstract

Objective: Reports on the pharmacologic treatment of anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are lacking.

Methods: We present the case histories of 1 adolescent and 2 young adults with DS and the treatment course of comorbid GAD with buspirone.

Results: Treatment with buspirone was safe and well-tolerated and resulted in sustained improvement in symptoms of anxiety for a minimum of 2 years in all 3 cases.

Conclusion: Buspirone's generally benign adverse effect profile makes it well suited for treating anxiety in individuals with DS in light of their common medical comorbidities.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
Buspirone* / pharmacology
Buspirone* / therapeutic use
Comorbidity
Down Syndrome* / complications
Down Syndrome* / drug therapy
Humans
Young Adult

Substances

Buspirone