Open label aripiprazole in the treatment of youth with tic disorders.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Primarily safe and efficacious treatments for chronic tic disorders are needed. Also needed are such treatments that target co-morbid conditions. Aripiprazole, a dopaminergic/serotonergic agent with partial agonist properties at the D2 dopamine receptor and 5-hydrdoxytryptamine 1A (5-HT(1A)) receptor and antagonist properties at the 5-HT(2A) receptor, holds promise in both regards.

OBJECTIVE:

This was an open-label, flexible-dose study to evaluate the safety of aripiprazole in children and adolescents with a primary diagnosis of a chronic tic disorder with/without co-morbid disorder(s).

METHOD:

Sixteen children (15 males) aged 8-17 years participated in the 6-week trial. Ratings for tic, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and side effects were administered weekly. Baseline and exit laboratory measures, electrocardiograms (ECGs), weight, and height were obtained.

RESULTS:

The average daily aripiprazole dose was 3.3 mg (range 1.25-7.5 mg). Significant pre-and posttreatment differences were ascertained for the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale motor (p < or = 0.0001), phonic (p < or = 0.0001), and total tic (p < or = 0.0001) scores. Results of other rating scales suggested significant improvements in co-morbid disorders as well, including OCD, ADHD, and depressive disorders. Although aripiprazole was well tolerated, increases in weight were found.

CONCLUSION:

In this preliminary open-label trial, aripiprazole was a well-tolerated treatment for tics and co-morbid OCD and ADHD symptoms. Improvements in co-morbid conditions may be secondary to tic reduction or to specific to aripiprazole therapy; however, further study is warranted.

• Authors: Tanya K Murphy, P Jane Mutch, Jeannette M Reid, Paula J Edge, Eric A Storch, Michael Bengtson, Mark Yang
• Journal: Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology (J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 441-7 (Aug 2009) ISSN: 1557-8992 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19702496 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Piperazines
• Quinolones
• Aripiprazole

Topics

• Adolescent
• Age Factors
• Aripiprazole
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mood Disorders (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Piperazines (therapeutic use)
• Quinolones (therapeutic use)
• Tic Disorders (complications, drug therapy, psychology)
• Treatment Outcome