title: Open label aripiprazole in the treatment of youth with tic disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primarily safe and efficacious treatments for chronic tic disorders are needed. Also needed are such treatments that target co-morbid conditions. Aripiprazole, a dopaminergic/serotonergic agent with partial agonist properties at the D2 dopamine receptor and 5-hydrdoxytryptamine 1A (5-HT(1A)) receptor and antagonist properties at the 5-HT(2A) receptor, holds promise in both regards.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This was an open-label, flexible-dose study to evaluate the safety of aripiprazole in children and adolescents with a primary diagnosis of a chronic tic disorder with/without co-morbid disorder(s).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen children (15 males) aged 8-17 years participated in the 6-week trial. Ratings for tic, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and side effects were administered weekly. Baseline and exit laboratory measures, electrocardiograms (ECGs), weight, and height were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average daily aripiprazole dose was 3.3 mg (range 1.25-7.5 mg). Significant pre-and posttreatment differences were ascertained for the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale motor (p < or = 0.0001), phonic (p < or = 0.0001), and total tic (p < or = 0.0001) scores. Results of other rating scales suggested significant improvements in co-morbid disorders as well, including OCD, ADHD, and depressive disorders. Although aripiprazole was well tolerated, increases in weight were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this preliminary open-label trial, aripiprazole was a well-tolerated treatment for tics and co-morbid OCD and ADHD symptoms. Improvements in co-morbid conditions may be secondary to tic reduction or to specific to aripiprazole therapy; however, further study is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics & Psychiatry, University of South Florida , St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA. tmurphy@health.usf.edu
authors.forename: Tanya K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: P Jane
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mutch
authors.forename: Jeannette M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Paula J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Edge
authors.forename: Eric A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Storch
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bengtson
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole