title: Trial of aripiprazole in the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for the treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia. It is effective and well tolerated in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The aim of the present study was to investigate therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in patients with first-episode schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia were recruited. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) were completed at the beginning of the study and again after 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of aripiprazole treatment. Side-effects were analyzed using the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side-Effect Rating Scale. Weight was checked at each testing session, and prolactin levels were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of aripiprazole treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant benefits were observed after the first week of treatment. After 1 week of aripiprazole treatment, subscale and total scores on the PANSS had decreased significantly. This significant decrease was maintained throughout the study period. The mean score of CGI severity was also significantly different after 2 weeks of aripiprazole administration when compared to baseline score, and the significance was maintained thereafter. Weight did not significantly change after aripiprazole administration. Although mean prolactin level was decreased at 8 weeks, the difference was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aripiprazole is an effective and well-tolerated antipsychotic agent in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Further investigations with larger samples are needed.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center for Depression, Institute of Human Behavior and Gene, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hwa-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung-Joo
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Ham
authors.forename: Rhee-Hun
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Jong-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Paik
authors.forename: Sang-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: Moon-Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Min-Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D011388:Prolactin