[Aatypical antipsychotics in child and adolescent psychiatry--indications apart from schizophrenia].

OBJECTIVES

Given their special receptor profile, atypical antipsychotics are effective in the treatment of both positive and negative symptoms. Especially the serotonergic affinity suggests their potential utility for the treatment of depressive, anxious, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms as well. Reviewed here are the clinical experience with, studies of, and published reports on the use of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of different psychiatric disorders other than schizophrenia in children and adolescents.

METHODS

The literature from 1998-2004 was reviewed by means of PubMed and CurrentContents.

RESULTS

In addition to schizophrenic symptoms, the therapeutic indications for atypical antipsychotics include tic disorders, bipolar affective disorders and mania, impulsiveness and disruptive behaviour, (auto-)aggression, and severe anorexia nervosa. Empirical data such as those from placebo-controlled double-blind or open-label studies in larger child and adolescent populations are rare. Substances are used mostly off-label.

CONCLUSIONS

Atypical antipsychotics today comprise part of the standard psychopharmacotherapy in child and adolescent psychiatry. They have proved to be effective in the treatment of schizophrenia, tic disorders, impulsiveness, (auto-)aggression, and eating disorders.