Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci.  2017 Feb;15(1):79-81. 10.9758/cpn.2017.15.1.79.

Reduction of Severity of Recurrent Psychotic Episode by Sustained Treatment with Aripiprazole in a Schizophrenic Patient with Dopamine Supersensitivity: A Case Report

• Tadokoro S
• Nonomura N
• Kanahara N
• Hashimoto
• Iyo M

• KMID: 2367670
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2017.15.1.79

Abstract

Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP) is a type of acute exacerbation of recurrent psychosis caused by long-term treatment with antipsychotics in schizophrenic patients. Although DSP is exceedingly troublesome for clinicians, effective treatment has not yet been established. Based on clinical research and our animal study, we hypothesize that aripiprazole, an atypical anti-psychotic, may reduce the exacerbation of recurrent psychotic episodes. We report the case of a 46-year-old female who suffered from schizophrenia with DSP. In this case, sustained treatment with a high dose of aripiprazole gradually reduced the severity of her recurrent psychotic episodes. In conclusion, sustained treatment with aripiprazole may reduce the exacerbation of recurrent psychotic episodes in schizophrenic patients with DSP, and may be an effective treatment of DSP.

Keyword

Antipsychotic agents; Disease exacerbation; Receptors, dopamine D2; Recurrence; Schizophrenia

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antipsychotic Agents
Aripiprazole*
Disease Progression
Dopamine*
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Psychotic Disorders
Receptors, Dopamine D2
Recurrence
Schizophrenia
Antipsychotic Agents
Aripiprazole
Dopamine
Receptors, Dopamine D2