Microsatellite Marker in Gamma - Aminobutyric Acid - A Receptor Beta 3 Subunit Gene and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Korean Trios

This study aimed to identify the association between gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) receptor subunit β3 (GABRB3) gene and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Korea. Fifty-eight children with ASD [47 boys (81.0%), 5.5 ± 4.1 years old], 46 family trios, and 86 healthy control subjects [71 males (82.6%), 33.6 ± 9.3 years old] were recruited. Transmission disequilibrium test revealed that, 183 bp long allele in GABRB3 gene was preferentially transmitted in families with ASD (p = 0.025), whereas a population-based case-control study, however, showed no association between ASD and GABRB3 microsatellite polymorphism. Our data provide preliminary evidence that GABRB3 gene is associated with ASD in Korea

Open-label study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole and haloperidol in the treatment of pediatric tic disorders

Due to its unique pharmacodynamic properties of dopamine partial agonist activity, and its association with few and mild side effects, aripiprazole is a candidate atypical antipsychotic for patients with tic disorders. This open-label study compared the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole with haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic widely used to treat patients with tic disorders. Forty-eight children and adolescents with tic disorders were recruited from the outpatient clinic at South Korea and treated with aripiprazole (initial dose, 5.0 mg/d; maximum dose 20 mg/d) or haloperidol (initial dose, 0.75 mg/d; maximum dose, 4.5 mg/d) for 8 weeks. Treatment efficacy was measured using the yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS), and tolerability was measured using the extrapyramidal symptom rating scale (ESRS) and an adverse effects checklist. Total tic scores as measured by the YGTSS decreased over time in both groups (p < 0.001) without any significant differences between groups. ESRS scores were significantly higher in the haloperidol group during the 4 weeks after commencement of medication (p < 0.05). These results indicate that aripiprazole may be a promising drug in the treatment of children and adolescents with tic disorders. Further controlled studies are needed to determine the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in these patients