Aripiprazole in an adult with Asperger disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of aripiprazole-responsive adult Asperger disorder.

CASE SUMMARY: A 34-year-old white man with lifelong, disabling Asperger disorder and a 20-year history of failed psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic interventions was prescribed aripiprazole, with dramatic symptomatic improvement.

DISCUSSION: Multiple prior pharmacologic efforts over several years aimed predominantly at altering serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission resulted in treatment failure due to intolerable adverse effects, exacerbation of underlying symptoms, or nonresponse. Aripiprazole, with a complex profile of neurotransmitter affinities, has produced significant core symptom changes. Improved sociability; increased self-awareness; reduced rigidity, anxiety, and irritability; and reduced preoccupation with circumscribed esoteric interests are among the effects noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Previously intractable Asperger disorder symptoms in a 34-year-old man were ameliorated with aripiprazole.