Switching to aripiprazole for the treatment of residual mutism resulted in distinct clinical courses in two catatonic schizophrenia cases

Objectives: The efficacy of a partial agonist for the dopamine D2 receptor, aripiprazole, for catatonia in schizophrenia has been reported. Methods: We report distinct clinical courses in challenging aripiprazole to treat residual mutism after severe catatonic symptoms improved. Results: In the first case, mutism was successfully treated when the patient was switched from olanzapine to aripiprazole. In contract, switching to aripiprazole from risperidone aggravated auditory hallucinations in the second case. Conclusions: We will discuss the benefits and risks of using aripiprazole for the treatment of catatonic schizophrenia and the possibility of dopamine supersensitivity psychosis.