Naloxone and self-mutilation.

A 15-year-old male with a long history of self-mutilation resembling the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, but with normal uric acid levels, was treated with naloxone. Pain-inducing behavior decreased in the evenings following infusion of the drug, and was markedly reduced for 2 days following the treatment period. Though not recommended as therapy, the observations suggest that naloxone may play a role in the regulation of endorphin/enkephalin neural systems.