A recently published study by Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute researchers looked at three anti-psychotic medications regularly prescribed to children with these conditions – Risperidone, Olanzapine and Aripiprazole.

Neuroscientist, Professor Chao Deng, said the study found that using these drugs to block receptors in the brain during childhood and adolescence could cause permanent changes to neurotransmitter systems.

“Our previous studies in animal models found that early anti-psychotic treatment in juveniles could have long-term impacts on adult behaviours, such as hyperactivity and anxiety-like behaviours,” he said.  

“Our recent findings showed that early treatment of these drugs interrupted brain development, leading to long-term changes in brain function, such as neurotransmissions with dopamine and serotonin.

“These drugs can also cause obesity, increase risks for diabetes and other metabolic disorders.”

Prof Deng said studies like these could assist governments and health authorities when developing guidelines for the use of these drugs in children.

This was important given the significant increase in prescription/ use of these drugs in Australia and worldwide.

“We hope these results will also help doctors better weigh the risks and benefits of the medication before prescribing them to young patients,” Prof Deng said.

The recent study is part of a larger project at the University of Wollongong investigating the long-term effects of early anti-psychotic exposure in children and adolescents.

Prof Deng and colleagues, including Distinguished Professor Xu-Feng Huang, will now move into the next phase of the research.

“(We will now work) to identify early interventions – such as physical exercise or other treatments – to reduce the potential side effects or long-term risks caused by anti-psychotic treatment in children,” Prof Deng said.