Movement disorders associated with aripiprazole use: a case series

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic with a unique receptor binding profile: partial agonism at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5HT1a receptors, and antagonism at 5HT2a receptors.
• Initial hypotheses suggested a lower propensity for movement disorders compared to other antipsychotics due to its receptor activity.

Observation:

• This case series presents observations from three movement disorder clinics.
• The series details a variety of movement disorders that have been associated with aripiprazole use.

Findings:

• Recent reports and this case series indicate that aripiprazole may be associated with a higher incidence of movement disorders than previously anticipated.
• The observed movement disorders encompass a range of conditions, highlighting a potential risk factor in aripiprazole treatment.

Implications:

• The findings suggest that aripiprazole should be used with caution in patients with a pre-existing history of movement disorders, including dystonia, parkinsonism, or tardive dyskinesia.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying aripiprazole-induced movement disorders and to refine clinical management strategies.