Project Summary

Celso Arango, M.D., Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2005) of Hospital General Universitario, aims to study the side effects of antipsychotic drugs in children and adolescents. Dr. Arango points out antipsychotic drugs are not approved for treatment in children and adolescents but the medications are routinely given to that population in off-label usage. These drugs, which have side effects in adults, are increasingly being given to children and adolescents, he says, as agents for non-specific behavioral control, rather than as drugs for psychotic symptoms. But the drugs have not been sufficiently tested for their efficacy and side effects in youngsters, he says. To address the side effects issue, Dr. Arango will perform a one-year, longitudinal study of 200 individuals, 18 years and younger treated with antipsychotics for the first time. Clinical, socio-demographic and side effects data will be collected. To optimize treatment for youngsters, it is important to clarify the side effects profile of these drugs in youngsters and the rate of psychopathology in this group.

Program Area: SCHIZOPHRENIA/PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS\Schizophrenia

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