Doctors are being warned not to routinely give people with learning disabilities anti-psychotic drugs to curb aggressive behaviour.

An Imperial College London study of 86 patients found the drugs were no more effective than being given none at all.

Researchers said it was more important to address the underlying causes.

In the UK, 200,000 people with learning disabilities are given anti-psychotic drugs - even though there is a risk of side-effects, the Lancet reported.

These can include risk of weight gain, impotence and strain to the cardiovascular system.

About 200,000 people with learning disabilities are treated with the drugs.

More of the story,
click image