A nationwide study will determine if Abilify (aripiprazole) has the potential to relieve the involuntary muscle movements, or tics, commonly associated with Tourette’s syndrome. Children aged 7 to 17 years old will be recruited for the study, with completion set for August 2013. To be eligible, participants must have a diagnosis of Tourette’s syndrome and tics severe enough to disrupt daily activities. Exclusion criteria include pregnancy, obsessive-compulsive disorder, mood disorder, suicidal thoughts, or another diagnosed mood disorder. As with most clinical trials, researchers have designed the criteria to isolate the condition (Tourette’s) and the intervention (Abilify) to the fullest extent possible.

Participants will be placed into one of four treatment groups. In group one, participants will receive a placebo pill that is indistinguishable from Abilify. Groups two through four will each receive various dosages of the study drug. Doses will be administered once weekly for a period of eight weeks. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale will be employed at the beginning and end of the study to quantify any symptomatic changes. Study authors believe that both the study drug and experimental procedures represent little or no safety risk to participants. However, parents or guardians must provide informed consent before enrollment.

According to the National Library of Medicine, Abilify belongs to a class of medications known as atypical antipsychotics. Originally, these medications were developed as replacements for the first generation of antipsychotic drugs. Although schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders were the impetus behind the creation of these drugs, research in the last twenty years has revealed that Abilify, and drugs like it, can have beneficial effects on a number of mental health conditions. Abilify works by altering the level of certain chemicals in the brain, and doctors know that Tourette’s syndrome results from an imbalance of brain chemicals. These chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, are responsible for the regulation of mood and movement, among other things. It is believed that Abilify may restore some degree of balance for those experiencing disruptive tics because of Tourette’s syndrome.

Abilify continues to show promise as a multipurpose psychotropic medication. So far, it’s been used to treat bipolar disorder, severe depression, and aggression in autistic children. In cases of severe depression, Abilify is often combined with a standard antidepressant medication. Tourette’s syndrome only affects a small percentage of individuals, but those with severe symptoms often have trouble navigating in daily life. It is hoped that Abilify, combined with various modes of therapy, will improve their experience.

References

1. Aripiprazole – PubMed Health. (n.d.). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved June 22, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000221/
2. Efficacy & Safety Study of Once-weekly Oral Aripiprazole in Children and Adolescents With Tourette’s Disorder. (n.d.). ClinicalTrials.gov. Retrieved June 22, 2012, from http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01418352?intr=%22Aripiprazole%22&rank=8
3. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome – PubMed Health. (n.d.). National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved June 22, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001744/

As an illegal psychostimulant drug, cocaine has ravaging effects both on the individual user and on society as a whole. The addictive qualities of cocaine are well-documented, and users often persist in their abuse despite one negative consequence after another. The search for effective, reliable treatments for cocaine addiction is ongoing. Recently, the antipsychotic drug Abilify (aripiprazole) has shown some potential as a treatment both for those currently addicted to the drug and those in the recovery stages. A pair of experiments with mice demonstrated that Abilify blocks some of the positive, rewarding effects of stimulant drugs while also reducing the odds of relapse.

In the earlier mouse study, Abilify reduced “self-administration” of cocaine in mice. As the dosage of Abilify was increased, the effect was more pronounced. At the same time, the mice did not seem to “overcome” the effects of Abilify by administering higher doses of cocaine. Researchers believe that part of this medication’s action on the cellular level actually negates the action of cocaine and possibly other stimulants. Another positive aspect of Abilify is that it seems to lack any obvious rewarding qualities of its own. The mice did not self-administer more Abilify in lieu of cocaine, an important quality that enhances its potential as a treatment for drug-addicted humans.

A later study examined whether Abilify could reduce relapse of cocaine addiction. In this experiment, mice were presented with the opportunity to self-administer cocaine after a 2-week period of withdrawal from the drug. Mice that had been given scheduled doses of Abilify showed far less potential for relapse. Apparently, the medication establishes a kind of “blockade” around the receptor sites to which cocaine typically attaches. This revelation is important for those who work directly with individuals in the field of drug addiction.

Addiction to cocaine and other stimulants continues to be a public health epidemic. Researchers are on a quest to discover effective pharmaceutical treatments for addiction. Because of repeated successful trials, low incidence of side effects, and generally high tolerability, Abilify has been identified as a potentially very useful tool in the battle against psychostimulant addiction. Abilify both reduces the immediate reward effects of cocaine and reduces the odds of relapse during the recovery phase. As a supplement to group counseling or talk therapy, treatment with Abilify may give recovering addicts a powerful advantage in their struggle to restore normalcy in their lives.

 References

• Feltenstein, M. W., Do, P. H., See, R. E. (2009). Repeated aripiprazole administration attenuates cocaine seeking in a rat model of relapse. Psychopharmacology, 207, 401-411.
• Sorensen, G., Sager, T. N., Petersen, J. H., Brennum, L. T., Thogersen, P., Bengtsen, C. H., Thomson, M., … Woldbye, D. P. D. (2008). Aripiprazole blocks acute self-administration of cocaine and is not self-administered in mice. Psychopharmacology, 199, 37-46.

Despite decades of research and several new classes of antidepressant medications, successful treatment of depression is still an elusive goal. In particular, people with major depressive disorder (MDD) often fail to respond to the first line of treatment or relapse after a short period of recovery. The search for new therapies and combinations of therapies is ongoing. Recently, the antipsychotic medication Abilify (aripiprazole) has been prescribed as a secondary treatment for MDD patients, often with positive outcomes.

Originally designed as a treatment for symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, Abilify’s usage has expanded widely in just a few years. Now, doctors are prescribing this medication for conditions ranging from bipolar disorder to certain forms of autism. Like all psychotropic medications, Abilify works by altering the balance of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Several of these neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, are largely responsible for a person’s emotional state. Abilify has demonstrated great potential to stabilize emotional states for a wide variety of patients. This includes the capacity to reduce anger and aggressive outbursts, which is why its original usage was for psychotic patients.

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration approved Abilify as a supplementary treatment option for patients with MDD who were already following a course of traditional antidepressants. Several clinical trials and controlled experiments have demonstrated that Abilify may offer a “boost” to the mood stabilizing attributes of antidepressants. At the same time, Abilify may work to offset some of the more unpleasant side effects of these drugs, such as sexual dysfunction.

In addition to its effectiveness as a supplementary therapy, clinical trials and tests indicated that Abilify is a relatively safe and well-tolerated medication in depressed patients. The most commonly reported side effect associated with the medication was restlessness. Rarely was this side effect bothersome enough to cause the patient to discontinue taking Abilify.

Millions of people experience the debilitating symptoms of depression every day. Nevertheless, a reliable cure or even a more effective treatment for depression is likely still many years away. Because the brain is the body’s most sophisticated organ, understanding how best to restore the proper neurochemical balance is difficult. Discovering the most successful early treatment options is therefore important in reducing relapse and improving long-term outcomes.

References

1. PubMed Health [Internet]. (n.d.). Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine. Major depression. Retrieved February 20, 2012. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001941/
2. Pae, C., Forbes, A., & Patkar, A. A. (2011). Aripiprazole as adjunctive therapy for patients with major depressive disorder. CNS Drugs, 25(2), 109-127.

For combat veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an all too common psychiatric condition. The symptoms of PTSD include high anxiety, a heightened state of arousal, aggression, and sleep disturbances. Many with PTSD report feelings similar to combat situations, as if they never really left the battlefield. When it is accompanied by moderate or major depression, those with PTSD are notoriously unresponsive to traditional therapies and medications. Self-injurious and self-destructive behaviors, even psychotic behaviors, are not uncommon events for the most severely affected veterans. Finding new and better treatment protocols is therefore essential.

Recent research indicates that Abilify (aripiprazole), a relatively new antipsychotic medication, may represent a moderately more successful approach for treating PTSD and major depressive disorder in veterans. Study authors performed a retrospective review of veterans’ charts to determine what effect, if any, the introduction of Abilify had on these patients’ PTSD and depression scores. A total of 27 charts were analyzed. Many of these patients were also receiving traditional antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or psychotherapy. All consented to participate in research on the use of Abilify to manage their symptoms. Most had shown very little or no response to their prior courses of treatment.

The study consisted of a 12-week trial of Abilify, with regular monitoring for side effects or improvements in mood. The overall positive response rate, both in terms of PTSD and depression, were rather low. At the end of 12 weeks, about 20% of these veterans showed significant improvement in their depression. Likewise, 37% showed improvement in their PTSD symptoms. These are not excellent results, but historically this population has been very resistant to most clinical approaches. Any improvement over failed techniques is worthwhile, and even small improvements to quality of life are deemed worth pursuing. Furthermore, Abilify has no potential for abuse and relatively few side effects. It is much better tolerated than many of the traditional antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.

PTSD makes readjustment to civilian life an uphill battle for many veterans. Too many find themselves in a cycle of fear, self-loathing, anger, depression, and substance abuse. Abilify, originally developed as a first-line treatment for schizophrenic patients, has shown the potential to ease the symptoms of PTSD in at least some of these veterans. More research is needed, but the outlook is promising.

References
Richardson, J.D., Fikretoglu, D., Liu, A., McIntosh, D. (2011). Aripiprazole augmentation in the treatment of military-related PTSD with major depression: a retrospective chart review. BMC Psychiatry, 11, 86.

Abilify (aripiprazole), manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, was approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002. An antipsychotic medication, Abilify has shown noteworthy success in treating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Since its introduction, this medication has also been used for easing manic depression in adults. In people who have not responded well to traditional antidepressants, Abilify is sometimes prescribed as a secondary, additional treatment. As a result of increasingly diverse uses, this medication has entered the top 15 in terms of total drug sales. Like all psychotropic drugs, Abilify works by altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters.

Determining the toxic dose of any new medication is essential in developing appropriate safety guidelines. According to the authors of a study published in Clinical Toxicology, “Limited data exist describing the characteristics of [Abilify] poisonings” (Young et al., 2009). Part of the reason for such limited data is undoubtedly the newness of the medication itself. In an effort to fill in these gaps in knowledge, researchers performed an analysis of Abilify overdose events recorded in the California Poison Control Center database. They excluded cases where the record was not sufficiently complete or other substances were ingested along with Abilify. After eliminating such results, researchers were left with 286 usable cases.

Slightly more than half of these cases were female, and the overall median age was about 19 years. The youngest recorded overdose patient was 6 months old. Researchers divided the cases into three distinct age groups (0-6, 7-17, 18+ years) to determine whether there might be an age-related response to Abilify overdose. A standard dosage for this medication depends a great deal on the individual case; however, dosage typically starts at 2 mg for pediatric patients and can increase to 15 mg for adults. It should be noted that Abilify is not prescribed for children less than 13 years old (PubMed Health, 2011). Researchers also placed each case into a group based on dosage level. Group 1 consisted of doses less than 20 mg. In group 2, dosage ranged from 21 to 90 mg. All doses of 91 mg or higher fell into group 3.

Results of the analysis showed that out of 286 cases, 128, or nearly half, showed no symptoms whatsoever. For those who did report symptoms, drowsiness was the most common complaint, followed by nausea/vomiting, muscle twitch, and tremors. In no case was the overdose considered life threatening, and none of the patients appeared to have experienced permanent effects. For adults, only those in dosage group 3 (91 mg+) were statistically likely to experience symptoms. In pediatric cases, symptoms presented themselves even at the group 2 level. In 176 cases of overdose, no treatment was required other than observation. When treatment was administered, activated charcoal given orally was the most common course of action.

While this was only one study of one database, the data seem to indicate that Abilify is not an especially toxic medication. However, the effects of overdose vary from person to person, and underlying conditions may play a role in an individual’s response. As always, keeping medications in a secure location and following dosage instructions to the letter are essential safety measures.

References

1. PubMed Health [Internet]. (n.d.). Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine. Retrieved February 19, 2012. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000221/
2. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Dystonia. Retrieved February 19, 2012. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dystonia/DS00684
3. Young, M. C, Shah, N., Cantrell, F. L., Clark, R. F. (2009). Risk assessment of isolated aripiprazole exposures and toxicities: a retrospective study. Clinical Toxicology, 47, 580-583.

Autism is the general term for a spectrum of developmental disorders that begin in early childhood. People with this disorder may have difficulty socializing, understanding emotional cues, or functioning in daily life. People with autism are not, as was once thought, intellectually impaired. In fact, many children and adults with autistic disorder show remarkably high intelligence in a variety of areas. Despite years of research, scientists are still not able to explain what causes autism, much less develop preventative measures or cures. The best approaches we have for helping those with autism are therapy and behavioral counseling. The goal of such therapy is to keep behavioral symptoms under control and improve the overall quality of life.

Children with autism show different signs and symptoms. Some are completely withdrawn, seemingly trapped in their own consciousness. Others are very outgoing but oblivious to the social or emotional needs of those around them. Among all behavioral symptoms, aggression towards oneself and others is the most troubling. In two controlled trials, the antipsychotic medication Abilify (aripiprazole) was shown to significantly reduce aggressive outbursts and mood variability in children aged 6 to 17 years.

In most instances, Abilify represents a good choice for modifying aggressive behavior. Adverse side effects reported from the trials included sedation, fatigue, and vomiting. These side effects typically occurred in the first week or two of taking the medication and faded with time. About 10% of patients in the trials discontinued Abilify because of adverse effects, compared with 7% for placebo. In the long term, the most commonly observed side effect was weight gain, which also plateaued after several weeks. Physical activity and a well-managed diet may offset some of this weight gain. In a 52-week trial, the effectiveness of Abilify at reducing irritability appeared unchanged. This finding is encouraging, as the benefits of some psychotropic drugs have been shown to diminish after prolonged use.

Stabilizing the emotional states of children with autism is an important goal for therapists and parents. When the child is calm and responsive, talk therapy and other interactive activities can be more meaningful and effective. Aggressive outbursts and irritability lead to a poor quality of life for the child with autism. Although a cure may still be a long way off, Abilify has proven that it can help improve quality of life for autistic children who exhibit anger and aggression toward themselves and others.

References
Curran, M. P. (2011). Aripiprazole in the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients. Pediatric Drugs, 13 (3), 197-204.