title: Aripiprazole in the treatment of challenging behaviour in adults with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with repetitive behaviours and often also with hyperactivity, aggression, self-injurious behaviour, irritability and lability of mood. There is emerging evidence that aripiprazole, an antipsychotic with partial agonist dopaminergic effect, may be effective in the treatment of these challenging behaviours. Nevertheless, there is little evidence for their efficacy in adults with ASD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to present preliminary data on the use of aripiprazole in the treatment of challenging behaviour in the setting of ASD.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a consecutive series of five inpatients of normal intelligence with challenging behaviour associated with ASD, diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria, which was resistant to treatment with other medical and behavioural interventions and which was treated with aripiprazole.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four out of five patients were classified as "much improved" or "very much improved" according to the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale. Aripiprazole caused akathisia, at a dose of 30 mg in the one patient who was not classified as a responder but was otherwise well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first case series of adults with ASD presenting with challenging behaviour who have been treated with aripiprazole. While the results are promising, controlled trials are required to confirm the findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Science, Institute of Psychiatry, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK. iain_jordan@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Iain
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: Dene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catani
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Declan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001519:Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole