Effectiveness of aripiprazole in the treatment of adult Tourette patients up to 56 months.
OBJECTIVE
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is characterized by motor and vocal tics. Its pharmacological treatment is often a challenge because of the so-called tachyphylactic effects. Aripiprazole has been reported to be effective in small case series with short follow-up periods.


METHODS
In a retrospective analysis, we assessed the effect of off-label treatments with aripiprazole in 20 adult patients (mean age 27.4) divided in a group of severely [67 Yale Global Tourette Severity Scale (YGTTS)-total] and moderately (43.3 YGTTS-total) affected patients. TS patients were treated with aripiprazole (mean 11.8 mg daily) and followed for up to 56 months.


RESULTS
Applying a random coefficient model, we found a significant benefit resulting from treatment with aripiprazole. This effect was larger in the severely affected patient group in comparison with the moderately affected patient group. The effect was stable over a time period up to 56 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Aripiprazole, a neuroleptic drug of the third generation with a partial D(2) -agonism is effective in moderately and severely affected adult Tourette patients. We add to the current knowledge through our data extending the follow-up interval up to a maximum of 56 months. All available clinical data strongly support the initiation of a double-blind placebo or other neuroleptic substance controlled trial.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. ineuner@ukaachen.de
Irene
I
Neuner
Carlos
C
Nordt
Frank
F
Schneider
Wolfram
W
Kawohl
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015363:Quinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D000068180:Aripiprazole