Christopher J. McDougle, M.D.
M.I.N.D. Institute Distinguished Lecturer Series –May 21, 2008
Biographical Information
Christopher McDougle is Albert Eugene Sterne Professor of Psychiatry and Chairman of the
Department of Psychiatry at Indiana University. He has continued on as Director of the Section of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry, as well. Dr. McDougle is an internationally-recognized expert in the
neurobiology and neuropsychopharmacology of childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorders including
autistic disorder. His research interests also include the etiology and pathophysiology of mental
retardation syndromes.
Dr. McDougle has been awarded two Young Investigator Awards from the National Alliance for
Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD), an Independent Investigator Award from
NARSAD, a grant from the Theodore and Vada Stanley Research Foundation, a Research Unit on
Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) contract, a RUPP-Psychosocial Intervention (PI) grant and
additional research grants from the National Institute of Mental Health for the study of autism and related
pervasive developmental disorders.
Dr. McDougle was elected to the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology in 1995. He
was twice chosen as Teacher of the Year by the Yale Psychiatry Residents. In 2002, Dr. McDougle was
selected as a recipient of the 12th Annual Nancy C.A. Roeske, M.D. Certificate of Recognition for
Excellence in Medical Student Education from the American Psychiatric Association, and in 2007 he was
selected as a recipient of the Annual Irma Bland Award for Excellence in Teaching Residents, also by the
American Psychiatric Association. In 2003, he was appointed Associate Editor of the Journal of Autism
and Developmental Disorders.
Presentation Abstracts
The Pharmacotherapy of Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders (4 pm)
This presentation reviews a variety of studies of pharmacological treatments of autism. Several openlabel and controlled drug studies that target the interfering symptoms associated with autism, as well as
some core symptom domains of the disorder, have been conducted. These studies include evaluation of
the effectiveness of the alpha2 agonists, clonidine and guanfacine, methylphenidate, and the
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine, for treatment of motor hyperactivity and inattention.
Controlled studies of fluvoxamine and fluoxetine have been conducted to evaluate their efficacy for
interfering repetitive thoughts and behavior. Studies of atypical antipsychotics, including risperidone,
that target aggression, self-injury and tantrums, will also be presented. In general, significant advances
have been made in treating many of the interfering symptoms associated with autism. Additional
placebo-controlled trials, however, are needed.
Practical Aspects of Medication Treatment in Autism for Parents and Other Providers (6 pm)
This presentation reviews the use of medications to treat many of the interfering symptoms that can
be associated with the core social and communication disturbance that characterizes autism. Interfering
symptoms can include motor hyperactivity and inattention; interfering ritualistic behavior; aggression,
self-injury and property destruction; mood disturbances such as depression and bipolar disorder; and other
problem behaviors including sleep disturbance, pica and inappropriate sexual behavior. The effectiveness
of medication for these different symptom clusters, along with their potential side effects will be
discussed.