An open-label trial of aripiprazole in the treatment of aggression in male adolescents diagnosed with conduct disorder.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The adverse effect profiles of typical and atypical antipsychotics are problematic because of their extrapyramidal and endocrine adverse effects, respectively.

METHODS:

Ten adolescent male patients diagnosed with conduct disorder received aripiprazole in doses of ≤20 mg/d in an open-label, intent-to-treat design to establish and characterize the efficacy of the drug in reducing aggressive behavior.

RESULTS:

Based on clinician and parent observations, aripiprazole was effective in reducing aggressive behavior in adolescent boys. The change in clinician-observed aggression ratings appears to have been driven by a decrease in physical aggression, whereas the change in parent-observed aggression ratings appears to have been driven by a decrease in verbal aggression and aggression against objects and animals.

CONCLUSIONS:

Aripiprazole was an effective and relatively well-tolerated treatment for overall aggression in adolescent males with conduct disorder, in the view of both clinicians and parents. Depending on the observer, aripiprazole improved aggression categorized as physical aggression, verbal aggression, and aggression against objects and animals.

• Authors: Samuel Kuperman, Chadi Calarge, Anne Kolar, Timothy Holman, Mitchell Barnett, Paul Perry
• Journal: Annals of clinical psychiatry : official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists (Ann Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 23 Issue 4 Pg. 270-6 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1547-3325 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22073384 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Piperazines
• Quinolones
• Aripiprazole

Topics

• Adolescent
• Aggression (drug effects)
• Antipsychotic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Aripiprazole
• Conduct Disorder (drug therapy, psychology)
• Humans
• Male
• Pilot Projects
• Piperazines (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Quinolones (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome