Weight, lipids, glucose, and behavioral measures with ziprasidone treatment in a population with mental retardation
Cohen, S.; Fitzgerald, B.; Okos, A.; Khan, S.; Khan, A.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 64(1): 60-62
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6689 PMID: 12590625 Document Number: 560320
Background: Atypical antipsychotics effectively reduce maladaptive behavior in individuals with mental retardation, yet bring significant weight gain and metabolic anomalies. Ziprasidone, a weight-neutral antipsychotic in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, has not been studied in a population with mental retardation and maladaptive behaviours. Method: Forty patients from Washington, USA with mental retardation and maladaptive behaviours who had gained excessive weight or were inadequately responsive to other agents were switched to ziprasidone . Weight, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and frequency of maladaptive behaviour were recorded at baseline and after 6 months of ziprasidone treatment. Results: Ziprasidone treatment was associated with a significant weight loss of 8.1 lb (3.6 kg) as well as a significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides (P<=0.05). The monthly frequency of the maladaptive behaviour remained unchanged or improved in 72% (18/25) of the patients in whom maladaptive behaviour was assessed. Conclusion: Ziprasidone effectively reduces the frequency of maladaptive behaviour in a patient group with mental retardation without causing weight gain or metabolic disturbances.