Effects of aripiprazole, risperidone, and olanzapine on 5-HT1A receptors in patients with schizophrenia.

To investigate the impact of various antipsychotic drugs on the 5-HT1A serotoninergic system, we performed a [F]4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(N-2-pirydynyl)-p-luorobenzamido]-ethyl-piperazine PET study in 19 schizophrenic patients treated with either aripiprazole, which has a partial agonist activity at 5-HT1A receptors, or second-generation antipsychotics (SGA) (olanzapine or risperidone), which do not demonstrate such property. We used a simplified reference tissue model to generate parametric images of [F]MPPF-binding potential (BPND). A significant reduction of [F]MPPF BPND was found in treated schizophrenic patients compared to age- and sex-matched healthy subjects.

[Crosscultural aspects of bipolar disorder: results of a comparative study between French and Tunisian patients].

Background: Bipolar disorders are one of the most potentially severe psychiatric disorders, implying a high degree of morbidity and incapacity for patients. Indeed, the World Health Organization in 1996 ranked them as the sixth most disabling condition worldwide. Major advances have been achieved in their understanding and management.

[Clinical potentialities and perspectives for the use of aripiprazole in other disorders than its classical indications. A critical analysis of the recent literature].

Aripiprazole is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in Europe and the United States, and for bipolar disorders in the latter. Nevertheless, a review of recent literature has shown that aripiprazole has been studied in many other disorders, notably resistant depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality, Tourette syndrome, addiction, psychotic symptoms in children and adolescents, and neurological and psychiatric disorders in the elderly (late onset delusional disorders, Alzheimer, Parkinson, and delirium). The study of aripiprazole in these numerous indications is motivated by its excellent tolerance and original pharmacological effect (partial agonistic effect on the D2 and 5-HT1A receptors, and antagonistic effect on the 5-HT2A receptors).

[Present data and treatment schedule of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia].

Among the second generation antipsychotics, aripiprazole presents a new pharmacological profile, basically differentiated by a partial agonist effect on the D2 and D3 dopaminergic receptors. Five short-term efficacy studies, conducted on 1648 patients presenting with schizophrenia or acute relapse of schizoaffective disorders, demonstrated the greater efficacy of aripiprazole than the placebo and comparable efficacy to that of haloperidol and risperidone. The short-term tolerance profile was characterised by a lesser incidence of the extrapyramidal side effects and drowsiness than with haloperidol.