Characteristics of Children Prescribed Antipsychotics: Analysis of Routinely Collected Data

Growing evidence of pharmacotherapy effectiveness in managing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young children with or without autism spectrum disorder: a minireview

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD in children is associated with increased risk of negative outcomes, and early intervention is critical. Current guidelines recommend psychosocial interventions such as behavioral training as the first line of therapy in managing ADHD symptoms in children with or without ASD. Where symptoms are refractory to these interventions, medications such as stimulants, α2-adrenergic agonist inhibitors, selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and second-generation antipsychotics are recommended. However, these pharmacotherapies do not have regulatory approval for use in children of preschool age, and evidence on their safety and efficacy in this population has historically been very limited. Since publication of the current guidelines in 2020, several new randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have been published that have investigated the efficacy and tolerability of these medications in preschool children with ADHD, with or without comorbid ASD. Here, we provide a review of the key findings of these studies, which suggest that there is growing evidence to support the use of pharmacological interventions in the management of ADHD in preschool children with comorbid ASD.

Views on sharing mental health data for research purposes: qualitative analysis of interviews with people with mental illness

BACKGROUND

Improving the ways in which routinely-collected mental health data are shared could facilitate substantial advances in research and treatment. However, this process should only be undertaken in partnership with those who provide such data. Despite relatively widespread investigation of public perspectives on health data sharing more generally, there is a lack of research on the views of people with mental illness.

METHODS

Twelve people with lived experience of mental illness took part in semi-structured interviews via online video software. Participants had experience of a broad range of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addiction. Interview questions sought to establish how participants felt about the use of routinely-collected health data for research purposes, covering different types of health data, what health data should be used for, and any concerns around its use.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: benefits of sharing mental health data, concerns about sharing mental health data, safeguards, and data types. Participants were clear that health data sharing should facilitate improved scientific knowledge and better treatments for mental illness. There were concerns that data misuse could become another way in which individuals and society discriminate against people with mental illness, for example through insurance premiums or employment decisions. Despite this there was a generally positive attitude to sharing mental health data as long as appropriate safeguards were in place.

CONCLUSIONS

There was notable strength of feeling across participants that more should be done to reduce the suffering caused by mental illness, and that this could be partly facilitated by well-managed sharing of health data. The mental health research community could build on this generally positive attitude to mental health data sharing by following rigorous best practice tailored to the specific concerns of people with mental illness.

State of the Evidence for Use of Psychotropic Medications in School-Age Youth

Psychotropic medications are commonly prescribed to school-aged youth for the management of mental health concerns. This paper describes the current state of evidence for psychotropic medications in school-aged youth. More specifically, the following sections summarize relevant medication research trials and practice parameters pertaining to psychotropic medication prescribing as well as the specific medications indicated for a range of commonly presenting disorders and symptom clusters in school-aged youth. For each of these disorders and symptom clusters, key findings pertaining to the current state of science and practice are highlighted for the purpose of offering patients, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers with nuanced considerations for the role of psychopharmacology within the context of a larger "whole-child" approach to care that relies on the collaboration of providers and services across systems of care to promote optimal child and family health and wellness. The paper concludes with a discussion about supporting the use of medication treatments in schools, including considerations for ensuring effective family-school-health system collaboration to best meet youth mental health needs.

Can routine data be used to estimate the mental health service use of children and young people living on Gypsy and Traveller sites in Wales? A feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

Gypsies and Travellers have poorer physical and mental health than the general population, but little is known about mental health service use by Gypsy and Traveller children and young people. Finding this group in routine electronic health data is challenging, due to limited recording of ethnicity. We assessed the feasibility of using geographical markers combined with linked routine datasets to estimate the mental health service use of children and young people living on Traveller sites.

METHODS

Welsh Government supplied a list of Traveller site postcodes included in Caravan Counts between 2012 and 2020. Using spatial filtering with data from the Adolescent Mental Health Data Platform (ADP) at Swansea University's SAIL Databank, we created a cohort of Traveller site residents aged 11-25 years old, 2010-2019. ADP algorithms were used to describe health service use, and to estimate incidence and prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) and self-harm.

RESULTS

Our study found a subgroup of young Gypsies and Travellers (n = 802). We found no significant differences between our cohort and the general population for rates of CMD or self-harm. The rate of non-attendance for psychiatric outpatient follow-up appointments was significantly higher in our cohort. Rates were higher (but not statistically significant) among Gypsies and Travellers for measures suggesting less well-managed care, including emergency department attendance and prescribed CMD medication without follow-up. The small size of the cohort resulted in imprecise estimates with wide confidence intervals, compared with those for the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Gypsies and Travellers are under-represented in routine health datasets, even using geographical markers, which find only those resident in authorised traveller sites. Routine data is increasingly relied upon for needs assessment and service planning, which has policy and practice implications for this underserved group. To address health inequalities effort is required to ensure that health datasets accurately capture ethnicity.

Value of a web-based pediatric drug information system to prevent serious adverse drug reactions in child and adolescent psychiatry

Psychotropic drugs are frequently prescribed 'off-label' to children and adolescents and carry the risk of serious adverse drug reactions (sADR). We examined the frequency of sADRs of psychotropic drugs in pediatric inpatients and explored their potential preventability through following the recommendations of a web-based pediatric drug information system (PDIS). The potential socio-economic impacts of using this online system is also addressed. Routine clinical data from all inpatients treated in a child and adolescent psychiatry department between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively examined for the occurrence of sADRs as defined by the European Medicines Agency. The preventability of the sADRs was assessed based on the information of the PDIS. Furthermore, the expected prolongation of the hospital stay due to sADRs was calculated as well as the associated treatment costs. The study was supported by the Innovation Fund of the Joint Federal Committee, grant number 01NVF16021. In total, 1036 patients were screened of whom 658 (63.5%) received psychopharmacological treatment. In 53 (8.1%) of these patients 54 sADRs were documented, of which 37 sADRs were identified as potentially preventable through PDIS. Mitigating sADR through PDIS would likely have prevented prolonged hospital stays and conferred considerable savings for health insurance companies. PDIS provides systematic and evidence-based information about pediatric psychopharmacotherapy and helps to prevent prescribing errors. Therefore, PDIS is a useful tool to increase drug therapy safety in child and adolescent psychiatry. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the results.

Serious Adverse Drug Reactions to Antipsychotics in Minors with Multiple Disabilities: Preventability and Potential Cost Savings by Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

INTRODUCTION

Children and adolescents with multiple disabilities and mental disorders (CAMD) are frequently treated with antipsychotic drugs. However, CAMD are particularly susceptible to serious adverse drug reactions (sADRs). This retrospective study examined the frequency of sADRs to antipsychotics in CAMD. Further, the potential preventability of these sADRs through therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and the potential socio-economic benefits of TDM were explored.

METHODS

Routine clinical data of all patients treated at a specialized psychiatric clinic for CAMD between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively examined. Data on the occurrence of sADRs (definition according to the European Medicines Agency), their causality with antipsychotics, as well as their preventability (Schumock criteria) were extracted from patient files. The prolongation of the hospital stay due to sADRs was calculated, and the cost savings were estimated if TDM had been applied. The data were based on a subsample of the KiDSafe project, supported by the Innovation Fund of the Joint Federal Committee, grant number 01NVF16021.

RESULTS

One hundred two CAMD who were administered at least one antipsychotic drug during inpatient treatment were identified. Of these patients, 22 (21.6%) sADRs with a possible causal relationship with the antipsychotic treatment were documented. Eleven sADRs (50%) could potentially have been prevented through TDM. Mitigating sADRs through TDM likely would have prevented prolonged hospital stays and thus conferred considerable savings for health insurance companies.

DISCUSSION

The routine implementation of TDM is urgently recommended for antipsychotic treatment in CAMD to increase drug therapy safety.

Nation-Wide Routinely Collected Health Datasets in China: A Scoping Review

Objectives: The potential for using routinely collected data for medical research in China remains unclear. We sought to conduct a scoping review to systematically characterise nation-wide routinely collected datasets in China that may be of value for clinical research.

Methods: We searched public databases and the websites of government agencies, and non-government organizations. We included nation-wide routinely collected databases related to communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, injuries, and maternal and child health. Database characteristics, including disease area, data custodianship, data volume, frequency of update and accessibility were extracted and summarised.

Results: There were 70 databases identified, of which 46 related to communicable diseases, 20 to non-communicable diseases, 1 to injury and 3 to maternal and child health. The data volume varied from below 1000 to over 100,000 records. Over half (64%) of the databases were accessible for medical research mostly comprising communicable diseases.

Conclusion: There are large quantities of routinely collected data in China. Challenges to using such data in medical research remain with various accessibility. The potential of routinely collected data may also be applicable to other low- and middle-income countries.

The metabolic adverse effects of antipsychotic use in individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disability: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) are often prescribed antipsychotics (APs). However, despite their known propensity to cause metabolic adverse effects, including weight gain, diabetes, and increased risk of cardiovascular events, there is currently a limited body of literature describing the metabolic consequences of AP use in this population.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases to identify all randomized trials that reported on the metabolic effects of APs in individuals with IDD. Random effects meta-analyses were used to examine weight gain as both a continuous and dichotomous outcome.

RESULTS

Eighteen randomized trials met our inclusion criteria with a total of 1376 patients across a variety of IDDs. AP use was associated with significantly greater weight gain compared with placebo (Continuous: mean difference = 1.10 kg, [0.79, 1.40], p < 0.00001, I²  = 54%; Dichotomous: odds ratio = 3.94, [2.15, 7.23], p < 0.00001, I²  = 0). Sub-group analysis revealed no significant effect of AP type. Data regarding the effects of APs on other metabolic outcomes were limited.

CONCLUSION

This review (PROSPERO # CRD42021255558) demonstrates that AP use is associated with significant weight gain among patients with IDD. Concerningly, most reported studies were in children and adolescents, which sets up an already vulnerable population for adverse medical sequalae at an early age. There was also a lack of long-term studies in adults with IDD. Further studies are required to better understand how AP use affects metabolic parameters in this group of individuals.

Health checks for adults with intellectual disability and association with survival rates: a linked electronic records matched cohort study in Wales, UK

OBJECTIVE

To examine if mortality rates are lower in people with intellectual disability who have had a health check compared with those who have not had health checks.

SETTING

General practice records of 26 954 people with an intellectual disability in Wales between 2005-2017, of which 7650 (28.4%) with a health check were matched 1:2 with those without a health check.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Office of National Statistics mortality data; a Cox regression was utilised to examine time to death adjusted for comorbidities and gender.

RESULTS

Patients who had a health check were stratified by those who (1) had a confirmed health check, that is, Read Code for a health check (n=7650 (28.4 %)) and (2) had no evidence of receiving a health check in their medical record. Patients with a health check were matched for age at time of health check with two people who did not have a health check. The health check was associated with improved survival for those with autism or Down's Syndrome (HR 0.58 (95% CI 0.37 to 0.91) and HR 0.76 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.91), respectively). There was no evidence of improved survival for those diagnosed with diabetes or cancer. The people who had a health check were more likely to be older, have epilepsy and less likely to have autism or Down's syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Health checks are likely to influence survival if started before a person is diagnosed with a chronic condition, especially for people with autism or Down's syndrome.

Incidence, Mortality and Survival in Young People with Co-Occurring Mental Disorders and Substance Use: A Retrospective Linked Routine Data Study in Wales

INTRODUCTION

Mental disorder (MD) and substance use (SUD) are associated with poorer than average health and greater mortality. We analysed routine primary care (WLGP) and inpatient admission (PEDW) data to estimate incidence of co-occurring (CC) MD and SUD, and to estimate all-cause mortality and survival with CC, in children and young people in Wales, UK.

METHODS

A retrospective population-based electronic cohort study using data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. Participants were 958,603 individuals aged 11-25 between 2008 and 2017. We estimated first ever incidence of CC, plotted Kaplan-Meier survival curves and carried out Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for risk of death by condition group (CC; MD or SUD only; NC).

RESULTS

Higher incidence of CC in WLGP and PEDW was associated with male sex, older age and greater deprivation. Male to female IRRs (95% CI) were 1.18 (1.12-1.24) in WLGP and 1.17 (1.10-1.24) in PEDW, oldest to youngest IRRs were 24.80 (21.20-29.40) in WLGP and 4.50 (4.08-4.98) in PEDW and most to least deprived IRRs were 3.28 (3.00-3.58) in WLGP and 2.59 (2.36-2.84) in PEDW. Incidence in WLGP significantly decreased between 2008 and 2017 (IRR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.99); the greatest reduction occurred in the most deprived quintile (IRR 0.67, 95% CI 0.54-0.82). Incidence of hospital admissions remained stable (IRR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.84-1.08). Risk of death was significantly higher for CC compared with NC (HR = 8.7, 95% CI 7.5-10.0).

CONCLUSION

Male sex, older age and greater deprivation were associated with higher CC incidence, although the gap between WIMD quintiles has decreased. CC was associated with greater risk of death. Mental health and substance misuse services should be provided in ways that remove barriers, and are acceptable and accessible to all, particularly those at greatest risk, or who are less likely to engage.

Psychotropic Use Among Youths With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

OBJECTIVE

The authors examined the prevalence and correlates of psychotropic medication prescribing among outpatient youths with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

METHODS

The authors reviewed cross-sectional data on medications for 1,333 youths (ages 5-21 years) with intellectual and developmental disabilities who were referred to a community-based mental health crisis service. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to describe the study group and to identify correlates of psychotropic polypharmacy, antipsychotic use, and anticonvulsant use in the absence of a seizure disorder.

RESULTS

Most youths were taking psychotropic medications (N=1,139, 86%), often three or more medications (N=733, 55%) from two or more drug classes (N=919, 69%). Most youths received antipsychotics (N=863, 65%), and a third (N=432, 32%) were taking anticonvulsants in the absence of a seizure disorder. Greater severity (number of psychiatric diagnoses and recent psychiatric hospitalization), older age, and living in a group home were significantly correlated with these practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Polypharmacy, antipsychotic use, and anticonvulsant use in the absence of seizure disorders were common among youths with intellectual and developmental disabilities referred to the crisis service. Older age, number of psychiatric diagnoses, living in a group home, and psychiatric hospitalization correlate with these prescribing practices. These elevated prescribing rates in a very vulnerable population warrant further study.

Amantadine for the treatment of childhood and adolescent psychiatric symptoms

This retrospective study examined clinical parameters associated with amantadine treatment of psychiatric symptoms in children. A total of 297 pediatric patients were prescribed amantadine and met study criteria to assess clinical responses and medication outcomes. More than 62% of patients experienced clinically significant symptom control and 83% achieved at least maintenance symptom control, while 11% discontinued amantadine for nonresponse and 6% stopped amantadine because of side effects. Among patients previously receiving other psychotropic medication, 42% and 28% of patients fully discontinued second- or third-generation antipsychotics or antidepressants, respectively. Patients responsive to amantadine who discontinued or reduced antipsychotic dose experienced a significant reduction in body mass index. Amantadine appears be an efficacious and safe alternative for treatment of a broad set of psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. Specifically, it may serve as an effective adjunct to stimulants for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder-related symptoms and appears to be a safer alternative to second- or third-generation antipsychotics.

Risperidone or Aripiprazole Can Resolve Autism Core Signs and Symptoms in Young Children: Case Study

Risperidone and aripiprazole are approved by the USA Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of irritability and aggression in children from the ages of 5 and 6 years, respectively. However, there are no approved medications for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) core signs and symptoms. Nevertheless, early intervention is recognized as key to improving long-term outcomes. This retrospective case study included 10 children (mean age, 2 years 10 months) with ASD who presented with persistent irritability and aggression before 4 years of age that was unresponsive to behavioral interventions and sufficiently severe to consider pharmacological intervention with risperidone or aripiprazole combined with standard supportive therapies. Besides ameliorating comorbid behaviors, improvement was observed in ASD core signs and symptoms for all patients, with minimal-to-no symptoms observed in 60% of patients according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale 2-Standard Test and Clinical Global Impression scales. Excessive weight gain in two patients was the only adverse effect observed that required intervention. This is the first study to suggest that ASD can potentially be treated in very young children (<4 years). Clinical trials are urgently required to validate these findings among this pediatric population.

Risk of seizures associated with antipsychotic treatment in pediatrics with psychiatric disorders: a nested case-control study in Korea

Antipsychotic drugs raise seizure risk in adults, and antipsychotic drug use is increasing among pediatric psychiatric disorder patients. However, few studies have examined seizure risk in this younger patient population. To evaluate seizure risk in pediatric patients on antipsychotics, we conducted a nested case-control study using a nationwide database. Patient information was retrieved from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database from 2008-2018. Antipsychotic use among newly diagnosed psychiatric patients was gathered starting 1 year before the index date and categorized as recent, past, consistent, or none. Seizure cases among these patients were defined based on (1) prescription of antiepileptic drugs or (2) an electroencephalography (EEG) examination among patients with seizure diagnostic code. A conditional logistic regression model was constructed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for seizure risk due to antipsychotic use. In total, 1523 seizure cases and 6092 seizure-free controls aged 8-19 years with newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders were included for analysis. Logistic regression revealed a significant association between antipsychotic use and seizure development (recent users OR = 4.03, 95% CI 3.4-4.79; consistent users: OR = 2.84, 95% CI 2.44-3.3). Seizure risk enhanced further with an increase in the number of antipsychotic drugs used. Risperidone, aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, and blonanserin were independently associated with greater seizure risk. Pediatric patients receiving antipsychotics, especially new or multiple antipsychotic users, should be carefully monitored for seizure development.

On the Causal Interpretation of Rate-Change Methods: The Prior Event Rate Ratio and Rate Difference

A growing number of studies use data before and after treatment initiation in groups exposed to different treatment strategies to estimate “causal effects” using a ratio measure called the prior event rate ratio (PERR). Here, we offer a causal interpretation for PERR and its additive scale analog, the prior event rate difference (PERD). We show that causal interpretation of these measures requires untestable rate-change assumptions about the relationship between 1) the change of the counterfactual rate before and after treatment initiation in the treated group under hypothetical intervention to implement the control strategy; and 2) the change of the factual rate before and after treatment initiation in the control group. The rate-change assumption is on the multiplicative scale for PERR but on the additive scale for PERD; the 2 assumptions hold simultaneously under testable, but unlikely, conditions. Even if investigators can pick the most appropriate scale, the relevant rate-change assumption might not hold exactly, so we describe sensitivity analysis methods to examine how assumption violations of different magnitudes would affect study results. We illustrate the methods using data from a published study of proton pump inhibitors and pneumonia.

Antipsychotic and antidepressant prescribing for 704 297 children and young people with and without intellectual disabilities: record linkage study

BACKGROUND

Psychotropics are overprescribed for adults with intellectual disabilities; there are few studies in children and young people.

AIMS

To investigate antipsychotic and antidepressant prescribing in children and young people with and without intellectual disabilities, and prescribing trends.

METHOD

Scotland's annual Pupil Census, which identifies pupils with and without intellectual disabilities, was record-linked to the Prescribing Information System. Antidepressant and antipsychotic data were extracted. Logistic regression was used to analyse prescribing between 2010 and 2013.

RESULTS

Of the 704 297 pupils, 16 142 (2.29%) had a record of intellectual disabilities. Antipsychotic and antidepressant use increased over time, and was higher in older pupils; antipsychotic use was higher in boys, and antidepressant use was higher in girls. Overall, antipsychotics were prescribed to 281 (1.74%) pupils with intellectual disabilities and 802 (0.12%) without (adjusted odds ratio 16.85, 95% CI 15.29-18.56). The higher use among those with intellectual disabilities fell each year (adjusted odds ratio 20.19 in 2010 v. 14.24 in 2013). Overall, 191 (1.18%) pupils with intellectual disabilities and 4561 (0.66%) without were prescribed antidepressants (adjusted odds ratio 2.28, 95% CI 2.03-2.56). The difference decreased each year (adjusted odds ratio 3.10 in 2010 v. 2.02 in 2013).

CONCLUSIONS

Significantly more pupils with intellectual disabilities are prescribed antipsychotics and antidepressants than are other pupils. Prescribing overall increased over time, but less so for pupils with intellectual disabilities; either they are not receiving the same treatment advances as other pupils, or possible overprescribing in the past is changing. More longitudinal data are required.

Impact of schizophrenia genetic liability on the association between schizophrenia and physical illness: data-linkage study

BACKGROUND

Individuals with schizophrenia are at higher risk of physical illnesses, which are a major contributor to their 20-year reduced life expectancy. It is currently unknown what causes the increased risk of physical illness in schizophrenia.

AIMS

To link genetic data from a clinically ascertained sample of individuals with schizophrenia to anonymised National Health Service (NHS) records. To assess (a) rates of physical illness in those with schizophrenia, and (b) whether physical illness in schizophrenia is associated with genetic liability.

METHOD

We linked genetic data from a clinically ascertained sample of individuals with schizophrenia (Cardiff Cognition in Schizophrenia participants, n = 896) to anonymised NHS records held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) databank. Physical illnesses were defined from the General Practice Database and Patient Episode Database for Wales. Genetic liability for schizophrenia was indexed by (a) rare copy number variants (CNVs), and (b) polygenic risk scores.

RESULTS

Individuals with schizophrenia in SAIL had increased rates of epilepsy (standardised rate ratio (SRR) = 5.34), intellectual disability (SRR = 3.11), type 2 diabetes (SRR = 2.45), congenital disorders (SRR = 1.77), ischaemic heart disease (SRR = 1.57) and smoking (SRR = 1.44) in comparison with the general SAIL population. In those with schizophrenia, carrier status for schizophrenia-associated CNVs and neurodevelopmental disorder-associated CNVs was associated with height (P = 0.015-0.017), with carriers being 7.5-7.7 cm shorter than non-carriers. We did not find evidence that the increased rates of poor physical health outcomes in schizophrenia were associated with genetic liability for the disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the value of and potential for linking genetic data from clinically ascertained research studies to anonymised health records. The increased risk for physical illness in schizophrenia is not caused by genetic liability for the disorder.

Psychotropic medications use and side effects of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

BACKGROUND

Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are treated with psychotropic medications, and polypharmacy is common. Although few studies address psychotropic side effects in the population, people with IDD have been found more likely to experience side effects than others who do not have IDD. Because many individuals with IDD may not report side effects reliably, there is risk that side effects may be missed.

METHODS

Psychotropic use and side effects of 71 adults with IDD admitted for a 30-day crisis stay to a Systemic, Therapeutic, Assessment, Resources, and Treatment (START) Resource Center were reviewed. START is a specialised behavioural health outreach, training and crisis programme for individuals with IDD. During crisis stays, centre nurses administer the Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects screen, a psychometrically established psychotropic medication side effects screen developed for use with people with IDD. Data reviewed were de-identified data used to inform day-to-day practices and assess outcomes for individuals START served.

RESULTS

The average age was 28 years, and 56% of the sample was male. All individuals were taking at least one psychotropic, while 79% were taking three or more. The average number of psychotropics used was 3.94. Antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed medications taken by 85% of the sample; 49% of whom were not reported to have psychosis. Although the overall number of psychotropics did not correlate with Matson Evaluation of Drug Side Effects scores, the average scale scores for all participants was high in contrast to prior studies of people with IDD not taking psychotropics, with central nervous system side effects being the most commonly reported.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, data for individuals experiencing a crisis were reviewed and indicated high rates of psychotropic polypharmacy and side effects rates higher than previously reported for people with IDD not taking psychotropics. Prospective study in larger samples is needed to determine if missed or under-appreciated psychotropic side effects may play a role in behavioural health challenges of some people with IDD.

Utility of oxcarbazepine in the treatment of childhood and adolescent psychiatric symptoms

The primary aims of this study were to determine if oxcarbazepine is a safely tolerated option for treatment of psychiatric symptoms in children and whether its use facilitates dose modification of other psychotropic medications. A retrospective chart review was completed using data extracted from the electronic medical record of a large outpatient child psychiatry clinic. A total of 507 of 740 children prescribed oxcarbazepine for psychiatric indications for 3 months or more had adequate data to assess clinical responses and medication outcomes. Most patients prescribed oxcarbazepine experienced clinically significant control of irritability/anger, mood stabilization, aggressive outbursts, impulsivity, or anxiety, with over 80% achieving at least maintenance symptom control. In all, 51% and 25% fully discontinued second- or third-generation antipsychotic or antidepressant medication, respectively, after starting oxcarbazepine; 8% discontinued oxcarbazepine for nonresponse, while 9% stopped oxcarbazepine because of emergent side effects. In patients fully discontinuing or reducing the second- or third-generation antipsychotic dose by 50% or more, improvements in body mass index were observed. Oxcarbazepine may prove to be an appropriate alternative to antipsychotic and antidepressant medications for treating psychiatric symptoms in children and adolescents. In particular, it may be a more metabolically neutral psychotropic medication.

Regulation of aggressive behaviors by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Animal models, human genetics, and clinical studies

Neuropsychiatric disorders are frequently complicated by aggressive behaviors. For some individuals, existing behavioral and psychopharmacological treatments are ineffective or confer significant side effects, necessitating development of new ways to treat patients with severe aggression. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a large and diverse family of ligand-gated ion channels expressed throughout the brain that influence behaviors highly relevant for neuropsychiatric disorders, including attention, mood, and impulsivity. Nicotine and other drugs targeting nAChRs can reduce aggression in animal models of offensive, defensive, and predatory aggression, as well as in human laboratory studies. Human genetic studies have suggested a relationship between the CHRNA7 gene encoding the alpha-7 nAChR and aggressive behavior, although these effects are heterogeneous and strongly influenced by genetic background and environment. Here we review animal, human genetic, and clinical studies supporting a consistent role of nicotine and nAChR signaling in modulation of aggressive behaviors. We integrate findings from recent studies of aggression neuroscience, discuss the circuitry that may be involved in these effects of nAChRs, and identify multiple key questions that must be answered prior to safe and effective translation for human patients. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.

Pharmacological Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Standard Supportive Therapies Significantly Improves Core Signs and Symptoms: A Single-Center, Retrospective Case Series

PURPOSE

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder with high heterogeneity and no clear common cause. Several drugs, in particular risperidone and aripiprazole, are used to treat comorbid challenging behaviors in children with ASD. Treatment with risperidone and aripiprazole is currently recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA for children aged 5 and 6 years and older, respectively. Here, we investigated the use of these medications in younger patients aged 4 years and older.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective case series included 18 children (mean age, 5.7 years) with ASD treated at the Kids Neuro Clinic and Rehab Center in Dubai. These patients began treatment with risperidone or aripiprazole at the age of 4 years and older, and all patients presented with comorbid challenging behaviors that warranted pharmacological intervention with either risperidone or aripiprazole.

RESULTS

All 18 children showed objective improvement in their ASD core signs and symptoms. Significant improvement was observed in 44% of the cases, and complete resolution (minimal-to-no-symptoms) was observed in 56% of the cases as per the Childhood Autism Rating Scale 2-Standard Test (CARS2-ST) and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the chronic administration of antipsychotic medications with or without ADHD medications is well tolerated and efficacious in the treatment of ASD core and comorbid symptoms in younger children when combined with standard supportive therapies. This is the first report to suggest a treatment approach that may completely resolve the core signs and symptoms of ASD. While the reported outcomes indicate significant improvement to complete resolution of ASD, pharmacological intervention should continue to be considered as part of a multi-component intervention in combination with standard supportive therapies. Furthermore, the findings support the critical need for double-blind, placebo-controlled studies to validate the outcomes.

[Challenges of the use of antipsychotics in children and adolescents]

The more frequent prescription of antipsychotics with high proportion of off label use, in particular for children and adolescents, is seen in many countries, including European Union, United States and Russian Federation. In accordance to current clinical guidelines, second-generation antipsychotics are preferred in clinical practice due to the higher tolerability compared to the first-generation antipsychotics. However, second-generation antipsychotics in children and adolescents, especially in continuous use, are associated with cardiac abnormalities and metabolic disorders, including hyperglycemia, and the risk of type 2 diabetes, weight gain and obesity, an increase in prolactin synthesis and hyperlipidemia. The adverse effects of antipsychotics in children and adolescents determine the need for more balanced approaches to their use, careful monitoring of the safety of treatment and the development of measures to prevent and correct side-effects of these drugs.

The pursuit of the magic pill: the overuse of psychotropic medications in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the USA

Children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are likely to receive high-risk prescribing practices, such as polypharmacy, long-term use of psychotropic medications, and overuse of antipsychotics. Behavioural interventions, such as applied behavioural analysis, are evidence-based practices for children with IDD and should be the first-line treatment. Short-term use of psychotropic medications may be helpful in reducing the severity and frequency of challenging behaviours while evidence-based behavioural interventions are pursued. In this essay, we offer practical guidelines for better care.