First site activated for LAPS study on antipsychotic use in children

The first site has been activated for the Long-term Antipsychotic Pediatric Safety (LAPS) Trial, which aims to determine the safety of long-term antipsychotic treatments in children. Dr. Ahmed Elmaadawi’s was the first site activated on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Dr. Elmaadawi is the director of the Interventional Psychiatry Program at Beacon Health System in South Bend, Ind.

The two-year LAPS study will follow children aged 3 to 17 who are already taking an antipsychotic (risperidone or aripiprazole) to treat disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and irritability associated with autism. The study will assess both the long-term health risks and quality-of-life benefits of these two drugs, which have been shown to be effective and may even prevent mental illness in adulthood.

Dr. Linmarie Sikich

“Antipsychotic treatment of children and adolescents has greatly increased over the past 20 years,” said Dr. Linmarie Sikich, principal investigator for the study and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Duke University School of Medicine. “At the same time, new evidence suggests an association between antipsychotic use and weight gain. In addition, the incidence of long-term adverse effects such as involuntary movements and hormonal changes is unknown.”

These findings have led to a growing concern that the potential benefits of long-term antipsychotic use may not outweigh the risks, especially for children.

While several antipsychotics are FDA-approved in children, it is common for these drugs to be prescribed without FDA approval for conditions such as attention-deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression. Antipsychotics are also frequently used to promote weight gain and reduce anxiety in children and teens with eating disorders.

The ultimate goal of the study is to provide long-term safety data to the FDA to update the risperidone and aripiprazole labels to include correct safety and dosing information. This information will allow doctors to provide the safest, most effective dose to children who require treatment with antipsychotics.