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Augment with Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole is a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors that modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in the brain.
Aripiprazole is a partial agonist at dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors that modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission in the brain. Used for Augmentation therapy for major depressive disorder (Phase 2 indication), Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (established indication for aripiprazole).
At a glance
| Generic name | Augment with Aripiprazole |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Shanghai Mental Health Center |
| Drug class | Atypical antipsychotic |
| Target | Dopamine D2 receptor (partial agonist), Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (partial agonist) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Neurology |
| Phase | Phase 2 |
Mechanism of action
Aripiprazole acts as a partial agonist rather than a full antagonist, allowing it to stabilize dopamine signaling by increasing activity when dopamine is low and decreasing it when dopamine is high. This mechanism is thought to reduce both positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and negative symptoms (apathy, withdrawal) of psychotic disorders while potentially causing fewer extrapyramidal side effects than typical antipsychotics. The drug also has activity at 5-HT1A receptors, contributing to its anxiolytic and mood-stabilizing properties.
Approved indications
- Augmentation therapy for major depressive disorder (Phase 2 indication)
- Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (established indication for aripiprazole)
Common side effects
- Akathisia
- Headache
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Tremor
- Weight gain
- Somnolence
Key clinical trials
- Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial for Bipolar Depression (PHASE4)
- Atypical Antipsychotic-induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Patients With Schizophrenia (PHASE4)
- Magnetic Seizure Therapy for Psychotic Disorders (NA)
- Pragmatic Trial of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (PHASE2)
- A Study to Compare Disease Progression and Modification Following Treatment With Paliperidone Palmitate Long-Acting Injection or Oral Antipsychotics in Participant's With Recent-onset Schizophrenia or Schizophreniform (PHASE3)
- Add-on MEmaNtine to Dopamine Modulation to Improve Negative Symptoms at First Psychosis (PHASE1)
- RCT of Brain Longitudinal Biomarker Study (OPT-Neuro RCT) (PHASE4)
- Optimizing Outcomes of Treatment-Resistant Depression in Older Adults (PHASE4)
Primary sources
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| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |