Abstract:

IntroductionAripiprazole has been shown to be effective in children and adolescents with Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and few adverse effects have been reported. However, little is known about the effectiveness of aripiprazole in the treatment of pediatric patients with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) and Schizophrenia.Aims and objectivesTo expand our knowledge on the use of aripiprazole in treating adolescents with ID for Schizophrenia.MethodsUsing a retrospective review, one female and one male adolescent inpatient (11.5 and 14 years old; Wechsler Scale of Intelligence full intelligence quotient equal to 61 and 38, respectively) with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia received aripiprazole 15 mg/day and were monitored for six weeks. The primary outcome was the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) from baseline to endpoint.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in the overall PANSS score in both adolescents with a marked decrease in negative symptoms (blunted affect, emotional withdrawal, poor rapport, passive/ apathetic social withdrawal, difficulty in abstract thinking, lack of spontaneity and flow of conversation, and stereotyped thinking). Among symptoms of general psychopathology, guilt feelings, motor retardation and poor attention were mostly improved. In both cases, positive and negative subscales showed significant reductions after week four. Female inpatient's weight increased from 49.5 Kg to 50 kg, while male inpatient's weight remained stable (75 kg) during monitoring. No other side effect (e.g. Q-T-corrected interval alterations, hyperprolactinemia, extrapyramidal symptoms) was developed.ConclusionsAripiprazole could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for adolescents with ID and Schizophrenia, especially when negative symptoms are of major concern.

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