title: Switching to aripiprazole for the treatment of residual mutism resulted in distinct clinical courses in two catatonic schizophrenia cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The efficacy of a partial agonist for the dopamine D2receptor, aripiprazole, for catatonia in schizophrenia has been reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report distinct clinical courses in challenging aripiprazole to treat residual mutism after severe catatonic symptoms improved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first case, mutism was successfully treated when the patient was switched from olanzapine to aripiprazole. In contract, switching to aripiprazole from risperidone aggravated auditory hallucinations in the second case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We will discuss the benefits and risks of using aripiprazole for the treatment of catatonic schizophrenia and the possibility of dopamine supersensitivity psychosis.
authors.affiliation: Gakuji-Kai Kimura Hospital, Chiba, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsumasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muneoka
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuhisa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanahara
authors.affiliation: Gakuji-Kai Kimura Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Shou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kimura
keywords: Mutism; aripiprazole; catatonia; dopamine supersensitivity psychosis