Aripiprazole in an adult with Asperger disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of aripiprazole-responsive adult Asperger disorder.


METHODS
A 34-year-old white man with lifelong, disabling Asperger disorder and a 20-year history of failed psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic interventions was prescribed aripiprazole, with dramatic symptomatic improvement.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple prior pharmacologic efforts over several years aimed predominantly at altering serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission resulted in treatment failure due to intolerable adverse effects, exacerbation of underlying symptoms, or nonresponse. Aripiprazole, with a complex profile of neurotransmitter affinities, has produced significant core symptom changes. Improved sociability; increased self-awareness; reduced rigidity, anxiety, and irritability; and reduced preoccupation with circumscribed esoteric interests are among the effects noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Previously intractable Asperger disorder symptoms in a 34-year-old man were ameliorated with aripiprazole.
Staller
Jud A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, 750 E Adams St, Syracuse, NY 13210-2306, USA. stallerj@upstate.edu
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole