Past Issues
Aripiprazole for Stereotypical Behavior
Patterns in Asperger’s Disorder
Chia-Hung Tang, Carol Sheei-Meei Wang, Po-See Chen
Background: Previous research support the use of second-generation antipsychotic
drugs to treat aggression in Asperger’s disorder (AD), but few studies
have investigated their effi cacy in stereotypical behavior. This article reports the
case of an AD patient whose stereotypical behaviors were improved signifi cantly
following treatment with aripiprazole. Case Report: This 19-year-old male patient
presented himself at hospital with severe psychomotor retardation and stereotypical
behaviors. He received risperidone, haloperidol, olanzapine, amisulpride,
and ziprasidone sequentially, but his stereotypical behaviors persisted. After treatment
with aripiprazole at 10 mg per day, his stereotypical behaviors were signifi -
cantly reduced and the aggression disappeared. Conclusion: In terms of dopamine
pharmacological properties, aripiprazole and other antipsychotic agents differ
mainly that aripiprazole is a partial dopamine agonist at D2 receptors and also acts
on D3 receptors. The mechanism involved remains unclear, and the suitability of
aripiprazole for treating the core pathophysiology of AD requires further
investigation.
drugs to treat aggression in Asperger’s disorder (AD), but few studies
have investigated their effi cacy in stereotypical behavior. This article reports the
case of an AD patient whose stereotypical behaviors were improved signifi cantly
following treatment with aripiprazole. Case Report: This 19-year-old male patient
presented himself at hospital with severe psychomotor retardation and stereotypical
behaviors. He received risperidone, haloperidol, olanzapine, amisulpride,
and ziprasidone sequentially, but his stereotypical behaviors persisted. After treatment
with aripiprazole at 10 mg per day, his stereotypical behaviors were signifi -
cantly reduced and the aggression disappeared. Conclusion: In terms of dopamine
pharmacological properties, aripiprazole and other antipsychotic agents differ
mainly that aripiprazole is a partial dopamine agonist at D2 receptors and also acts
on D3 receptors. The mechanism involved remains unclear, and the suitability of
aripiprazole for treating the core pathophysiology of AD requires further
investigation.
| Key Word | Asperger, aripiprazole, stereotype |
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