Aripiprazole is a non-typical 2nd generation anti-psychotic drug, which acts on the majority of D-receptors of dopamine, as well as 5HT2 serotonineergic receptors.

240 (n=240) patients, age 20 to 75 years, have been studied during the years 1999 to 2009. 80 of these patients were male and 160 were female, treated with Aripiprazole. The subjects were diagnosed with major depressive episode with psychotic features, combined with SSRIs, SNRIs, and NaSSas. The severity of depression at the patients was assessed with the MADRS, SCL-90R, and BPRS scales, administered during evaluation and after 1, 3, and 6 months following the initiation of therapy. After 6 months, the patients were also submitted to the GAF (Global Assessment Functionality).

217 (n=217) patients (90,4% o the population) showed a decrease following evaluation with the scales MADRS, SCL-90R, and BPRS respectively. The MADRS and SCL-90R showed a considerable decrease of somatic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and luck of activity, while the BPRS scale showed a decrease of delirious ideas and hearing delusions that constitute common features of the disorder. Furthermore, the GAF had considerably increased after 6 months.

Based on the study above, Aripiprazole constitutes a basic choice for the treatment of Psychotic Depression. Given that the patient sample is relatively small, multi-focused studies are required in order to investigate in depth the original hypothesis.