Project Summary

Chadi A. Calarge, M.D. (Young Investigator 2005) of the University of Iowa, aims to study the prevalence of risperidone-induced hyperprolactinemia and its effect on bone mineral density (BMD). Recent studies have shown risperidone can reduce disruptive behavior in children, a finding that may lead to increased medication use as such behaviors are common. Risperidone, however, increases levels of the brain hormone prolactin, excess levels of which have been associated with sexual abnormalities and low BMD in adult medical and psychiatric patients. But how risperidone-induced excess prolactin production may affect adolescents’ bone growth and puberty is unknown. Failure, though, to achieve developmental milestones before young adulthood may not be alleviated at later stage, placing the individual at serious long-term risks. To identify the impact of hyperprolactinemia on BMD (which is a slow process), Dr. Calarge will recruit adolescents (ages 11-18) who have been taking risperidone for at least one year. Dr. Calarge will obtain prolactin and sex hormone blood levels and collect information regarding their development and treatment. Those patients with hyperprolactinemia will be matched to patients without hyperprolactinemia from this sample. The resulting two groups will undergo bone density scans and their results compared. Dr. Calarge hypothesizes that many patients taking risperidone long-term will develop hyperprolactinemia that will disrupt normal puberty and bone growth.

Program Area: ATTENTION-DEFICIT & DISRUPTIVE BEH. DIS.\Disruptive Behavior Disorder

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