Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series
<b>Background:</b> There are a number of medications prescribed to address comorbid challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including risperidone and aripiprazole. This retrospective case series reports the use of these drugs in children aged 2 to 13 years....
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/5/618 |
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| author | Hamza A. Alsayouf Haitham Talo Marisa L. Biddappa |
| author_facet | Hamza A. Alsayouf Haitham Talo Marisa L. Biddappa |
| author_sort | Hamza A. Alsayouf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background:</b> There are a number of medications prescribed to address comorbid challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including risperidone and aripiprazole. This retrospective case series reports the use of these drugs in children aged 2 to 13 years. <b>Methodology:</b> A total of 82 children (mean age, 5 years; 79% male) with ASD treated at the Kids Neuro Clinic and Rehab Center in Dubai between January 2020 and September 2021 were included in this retrospective case series. All patients had comorbid challenging behaviors that were resistant to standard supportive therapies alone and warranted pharmacological intervention. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale—2nd Edition Standard form (CARS2-ST) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI)—Severity (CGI-S) and CGI—Improvement (CGI-I) scales were used to assess the severity of ASD at baseline and to monitor response to treatment with risperidone or aripiprazole. <b>Results:</b> Besides the expected improvement in comorbid challenging behaviors, 79/82 patients (96%) attained a CGI-I score of 2 or 1 following treatment, and 35/82 patients (43%) achieved both a CGI-I score of 1 and minimal-to-no symptoms as per the CARS2-ST test, with complete resolution of their ASD signs and symptoms. The differences in the overall mean CARS2-ST and CGI-S scores pre- and post-treatment were statistically significant (Z = −7.86, <i>p</i> < 0.0001 for both), with pre- and post-treatment mean values of 42 and 23 for CARS2-ST, respectively, and 6 and 2 for CGI-S, respectively. The main side effects were asymptomatic elevated prolactin (<i>n</i> = 12) and excessive weight gain (<i>n</i> = 2). <b>Conclusions:</b> ASD core symptoms and comorbid behaviors in young children improved following chronic treatment with antipsychotic medications, either with or without medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, when combined with standard supportive therapies. Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to verify these findings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:14:14Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:14:14Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-0f09ae0d0fd946fa8de0874bfb2b826b2023-11-23T10:17:59ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252022-05-0112561810.3390/brainsci12050618Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case SeriesHamza A. Alsayouf0Haitham Talo1Marisa L. Biddappa2Kids Neuro Clinic and Rehab Center, Dubai Healthcare City, Al Razi Medical Complex, Dubai 1015, United Arab EmiratesKids Neuro Clinic and Rehab Center, Dubai Healthcare City, Al Razi Medical Complex, Dubai 1015, United Arab EmiratesKids Neuro Clinic and Rehab Center, Dubai Healthcare City, Al Razi Medical Complex, Dubai 1015, United Arab Emirates<b>Background:</b> There are a number of medications prescribed to address comorbid challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including risperidone and aripiprazole. This retrospective case series reports the use of these drugs in children aged 2 to 13 years. <b>Methodology:</b> A total of 82 children (mean age, 5 years; 79% male) with ASD treated at the Kids Neuro Clinic and Rehab Center in Dubai between January 2020 and September 2021 were included in this retrospective case series. All patients had comorbid challenging behaviors that were resistant to standard supportive therapies alone and warranted pharmacological intervention. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale—2nd Edition Standard form (CARS2-ST) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI)—Severity (CGI-S) and CGI—Improvement (CGI-I) scales were used to assess the severity of ASD at baseline and to monitor response to treatment with risperidone or aripiprazole. <b>Results:</b> Besides the expected improvement in comorbid challenging behaviors, 79/82 patients (96%) attained a CGI-I score of 2 or 1 following treatment, and 35/82 patients (43%) achieved both a CGI-I score of 1 and minimal-to-no symptoms as per the CARS2-ST test, with complete resolution of their ASD signs and symptoms. The differences in the overall mean CARS2-ST and CGI-S scores pre- and post-treatment were statistically significant (Z = −7.86, <i>p</i> < 0.0001 for both), with pre- and post-treatment mean values of 42 and 23 for CARS2-ST, respectively, and 6 and 2 for CGI-S, respectively. The main side effects were asymptomatic elevated prolactin (<i>n</i> = 12) and excessive weight gain (<i>n</i> = 2). <b>Conclusions:</b> ASD core symptoms and comorbid behaviors in young children improved following chronic treatment with antipsychotic medications, either with or without medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, when combined with standard supportive therapies. Double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to verify these findings.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/5/618autism spectrum disorderrisperidonearipiprazoleantipsychotic agentscase study |
| spellingShingle | Hamza A. Alsayouf Haitham Talo Marisa L. Biddappa Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series Brain Sciences autism spectrum disorder risperidone aripiprazole antipsychotic agents case study |
| title | Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series |
| title_full | Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series |
| title_fullStr | Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series |
| title_full_unstemmed | Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series |
| title_short | Core Signs and Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Improved after Starting Risperidone and Aripiprazole in Combination with Standard Supportive Therapies: A Large, Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series |
| title_sort | core signs and symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder improved after starting risperidone and aripiprazole in combination with standard supportive therapies a large single center retrospective case series |
| topic | autism spectrum disorder risperidone aripiprazole antipsychotic agents case study |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/12/5/618 |
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