Although there has been minimal research on the long-term stability of brain dysfunction in conduct disorder, biologic markers assessed at one point in time have been shown to predict the long-term outcome.8–10 This suggests that brain dysfunction associated with conduct disorder exhibits some degree of stability. Thus, although clinical experience suggests that signs and symptoms can wax and wane in children with behavioral problems, it is unusual for these problems to remit spontaneously in children with conduct disorder, necessitating long-term treatment. Clinical experience suggests that psychostimulants can be prescribed safely for relatively long periods of time with careful monitoring. However, even though no long-term risks of psychostimulants have been unequivocally documented, concerns remain about growth disruption, adverse cardiovascular effects, and adverse effects on behavior, such as substance abuse; more research is needed on these possible effects.
