Which statement describes an advantage of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia?

Which statement describes an advantage of aripiprazole in the treatment of schizophrenia?

• A. Less likely to cause EPS or tardive dyskinesia
• B. Effective in treating both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia
• C. Causes weight gain and metabolic issues
• D. Only treats anxiety symptoms

Answer: (B)

Aripiprazole’s advantage lies in its ability to modulate dopamine rather than merely block it, enabling treatment of a broader range of schizophrenia symptoms. As a partial agonist at D2 receptors, it reduces excessive dopaminergic activity in pathways responsible for positive symptoms (like delusions and hallucinations) while preserving enough dopamine activity in other circuits to help with motivation and social functioning, which can contribute to improvements in negative symptoms. Added to this, its activity at serotonin receptors (partial agonism at 5-HT1A and antagonism at 5-HT2A) supports mood and further reduces motor side effects. This combination helps address both positive and negative symptoms, making it the best-described advantage. The other statements are less accurate: weight gain and metabolic issues are not typical advantages of aripiprazole, and it is not limited to anxiety symptoms.

Aripiprazole’s advantage lies in its ability to modulate dopamine rather than merely block it, enabling treatment of a broader range of schizophrenia symptoms. As a partial agonist at D2 receptors, it reduces excessive dopaminergic activity in pathways responsible for positive symptoms (like delusions and hallucinations) while preserving enough dopamine activity in other circuits to help with motivation and social functioning, which can contribute to improvements in negative symptoms. Added to this, its activity at serotonin receptors (partial agonism at 5-HT1A and antagonism at 5-HT2A) supports mood and further reduces motor side effects. This combination helps address both positive and negative symptoms, making it the best-described advantage. The other statements are less accurate: weight gain and metabolic issues are not typical advantages of aripiprazole, and it is not limited to anxiety symptoms.