AAN: Atypical Antipsychotic Reduces Autism Irritability

Aripiprazole (Abilify) may be effective off-label for treating the irritability associated with autism, researchers here said.

The atypical antipsychotic fared significantly better than placebo on a parent-rated scale of irritability (P<0.05), Donald Lewis, M.D., of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in Virginia, and colleagues reported at the American Academy of Neurology meeting.

It also had significant advantages over placebo with regard to clinician assessments of Aripiprazole and hyperactivity.

Only one atypical antipsychotic -- risperidone (Risperdal) -- is currently FDA approved for irritability associated with autism. However, treatment guidelines recommended that other atypical antipsychotics be considered for behavioral problems in autism.

Researchers involved in the current study could not comment on whether aripiprazole was in the process of FDA approval for this indication.

But Benjamin L. Handen, Ph.D., of the University of Pittsburgh, who was not involved in this study but is involved in similar trials, said FDA approval for the indication would give doctors an alternative for children who respond poorly to risperidone.

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Aripiprazole Decreases Symptoms of Mania in Paediatric Bipolar Disorder: Presented at AACAP

Children and adolescents at the onset of bipolar disorder may achieve improvements in manic symptoms with aripiprazole, according to research presented here at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).

Lead author Kiki D. Chang, MD, Assistant Professor and Director, Pediatric Mood Disorders Clinic, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, United States, and colleagues undertook a 54-centre, 4-week study of 296 patients 10 to 17 years of age with bipolar disease.

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Abilify helps as add-on depression treatment-study

Bristol-Myers Squibb's Abilify proved effective as an add-on therapy for patients suffering from major depression who were not getting satisfactory relief from their regular medication, according to a clinical study.

The drugmaker is hoping to use data from the study, which were presented on Monday at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting in San Diego, to broaden the approved uses for Abilify, which is also approved to treat bipolar disorder.

READ MORE @ REUTERS