Aripiprazole treatment of children and adolescents with Tourette disorder or chronic tic disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of aripiprazole to reduce the severity and frequency of tic symptoms and to evaluate the additional effects of aripiprazole on weight changes in children and adolescents with Tourette disorder (TD) or chronic tic disorders.


METHODS
A 12-week, open-label trial with flexible dosing strategy of aripiprazole was performed with 15 participants, aged 7-19 years. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale was applied and the baseline, week 3, 5, 9, and end point scores were compared. The mean body mass index (BMI) at baseline and end point were also compared.


RESULTS
Significant decreases in the scores of motor and phonic tics, global impairment, and global severity were demonstrated between baseline and week 3, and the scores continued to improve thereafter. No difference was observed between the baseline and end point BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that a relatively low dose of aripiprazole can be used to control tic symptoms effectively in children and adolescents with TD and chronic tic disorders without causing significant weight gain. Additional double-blind studies are needed to establish the definitive efficacy of aripiprazole in treating children and adolescents with chronic tic symptoms.
Seo
Wan Seok
WS
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Yeungnam University, Daegu, Korea. sws3901@ynu.ac.kr
Sung
Hyung-Mo
HM
Sea
Hyun Seok
HS
Bai
Dai Seg
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020323:Tics / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole