The neurocognitive effects of aripiprazole compared with risperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia.

The neurocognitive effects of aripiprazole compared with risperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia. Hiroshima J Med Sci. 2012 Dec;61(4):75-83 Authors: Sato G, Yoshimura S, Yamashita H, Okamoto Y, Yamawaki S Abstract Aripiprazole is a D2 and D3 receptor partial agonist that is unlike other second generation antipsychotics. The effectiveness of aripiprazole with regard to neurocognitive function and its adverse effects is unclear. The present study evaluates the comparative efficacy, effects on neurocognitive function, and adverse effects of aripiprazole and risperidone in the treatment of hospitalized patients with schizophrenia. This double-blind, cross-over study included 23 patients with schizophrenia who were randomly assigned to be treated first with either aripiprazole or risperidone. After eight weeks on one medication, the patients were switched to the other medication for eight weeks. The patient assessment included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), neurocognitive assessments, and adverse events including extrapyramidal symptoms, vital signs, electrocardiogram, and clinical laboratory tests. The study findings indicated that psychopathology assessed with the PANSS, extrapyramidal symptoms and other adverse effects did not differ between aripiprazole and risperidone for the subjects remaining in treatment. In the neurocognitive assessments, the score for disinhibition with aripiprazole was significantly low...
Source: Hiroshima Journal of Medical Sciences - Category: Journals (General) Tags: Hiroshima J Med Sci Source Type: research