Study of Aripiprazole (Abilify) Versus Placebo in Children With Subsyndromal Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Bipolar Disorder focused on measuring bipolar disorder
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Outpatients ages 5-17 years (inclusive) Patients, who in the investigator's opinion have substantial symptoms of mania, depression, or both within the past 2 weeks such that treatment with a pharmacological agent is warranted Currently meets Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for either cyclothymia, or bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BP NOS) based on the results of both a semi-structured diagnostic research assessment, Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-Present and Lifetime (PL) supplemented with sections from the Washington University K-SADS) (Geller et al., 2001; Kaufman et al., 1997) and a clinical interview with a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Offspring of a parent with a bipolar spectrum disorder (based on the results of either the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)(Sheehan et al., 1998) or the Family History Method (FH-RDC)(Andreasen et al., 1977) Has another first or second degree relative with a mood disorder determined by the results of either the MINI or the FH-RDC Has participated in at least 4 sessions of psychotherapy specifically focused on the symptoms/management of pediatric mood disorder and continues to have clinically significant symptomatology Exclusion Criteria: Patients who have a history of intolerance to APZ at doses of 0.1mg/kg/day Patients who have experienced a manic episode with documented treatment with APZ monotherapy at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg/day Patients with an active neurological/medical disorder for which treatment with APZ would be contraindicated Patients with clinical evidence of autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, Rett's syndrome or other pervasive developmental disorder Patients with clinical evidence of mental retardation Patients who are known to be allergic or hypersensitive to aripiprazole Patients who are unable to swallow pills/capsules Patients for whom the need for hospitalization during the course of the study appears likely Patients who have started a new psychotherapeutic intervention within less than 4 weeks of randomization Patients who have a general medical or neurological condition (including clinically significant abnormalities on screening laboratories) that may be considered to be the etiology of the patient's mood disorder Patients who have a general medical or neurological condition for which treatment with an atypical antipsychotic would be contraindicated (e.g. tardive dyskinesia) Patients who have a general medical or neurological condition that could interfere with the interpretation of clinical response to APZ treatment Patients taking psychotropic agents (other than psychostimulants) within one week of baseline (2 weeks for fluoxetine; 3 days for psychostimulants) Patients with a suicide attempt requiring medical/psychiatric care within the past 6 months Has met DSM-IV criteria for drug/alcohol abuse or dependence within the past 6 months Females who are currently pregnant or lactating Sexually active females, who in the investigators' opinion are not using an adequate form of birth control
Sites / Locations
- University Hospitals Case Medical Center - Walker Building
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
Aripiprazole-Randomized Phase
Placebo-Randomized Phase
Patients randomly assigned to aripiprazole received medication in pill form with dosing at 2mg, 5mg, 7mg, 10mg, 12mg or 15mg depending on their response.
Patients randomly assigned to placebo received pills/dosing made to look identical to the aripiprazole.