Tardive Dyskinesia: Treatment with Aripiprazole

Abstract

Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by choreiform movements, or rhythmic abnormal involuntary movements of the face, mouth, tongue, trunk, and limbs. It is frequently associated with the use of neuroleptic medications. The choreiform movements are irreversible in some patients, even after the drug is withdrawn. Although no reliable treatment for tardive dyskinesia exists, atypical antipsychotics are associated with a significantly lower incidence of tardive dyskinesia than typical antipsychotics. Moreover, recent reports suggest that atypical antipsychotics may have a beneficial effect on tardive dyskinesia remission. Until recently, evidence for the effectiveness of aripiprazole on tardive dyskinesia has been mixed. Aripiprazole has a unique mechanism of action and has various effects in tardive dyskinesia. The drug acts as a partial D2 receptor agonist that can stabilize D2 up-regulation, and as a partial 5-HT1A receptor agonist and a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, and can increase the release of dopamine in the striatum.