New Insights into Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment with INGREZZA
Neurocrine Biosciences has recently shared exciting findings from their
post-hoc analysis of the
Phase 4 KINECT-PRO™ open-label study, which evaluated the effectiveness of
INGREZZA® (valbenazine) capsules. This analysis shows that treatment with INGREZZA leads to an earlier remission of symptoms associated with
tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder that often occurs in patients taking antipsychotic medications.
Understanding Tardive Dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia is characterized by uncontrollable, repetitive movements, often affecting the face and torso. It can severely impact the quality of life for those diagnosed with it, and is commonly linked to long-term use of certain psychotropic drugs. Typical treatments have been ineffective, leading to a dire need for more effective solutions.
Key Findings from KINECT-PRO
The results presented at the
Psych Congress 2025 in
San Diego suggested significant improvements in patient outcomes following 24 weeks of using INGREZZA. According to the analysis:
- - 57.8% of participants achieved remission from symptoms, varying across different dosage levels: 58.3% at 40 mg, 44.4% at 60 mg, and 62.5% at 80 mg.
- - Those who achieved remission reported tremendous improvements in their quality of life, as measured by various validated patient-reported outcome scales. Significant shifts were noted across the Tardive Dyskinesia Impact Scale (TDIS™), the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and the EuroQoL Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS).
Positive Impact on Quality of Life
Among those achieving symptomatic remission, improvements in patient-reported outcomes were substantial:
- - The average TDIS score improved from 15.5 to 4.6 after treatment, showcasing a significant decrease in symptom impact.
- - On the SDS, which assesses functional life areas, participants reported 3.2 less impairment in social activities.
- - The EQ-VAS demonstrated an average for health-related quality of life rising from 61.8 to 81.1.
Significance of Patient-Reported Outcomes
The KINECT-PRO study is groundbreaking as it is the first to connect remission rates of tardive dyskinesia with specific improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Dr.
Sanjay Keswani, the Chief Medical Officer of Neurocrine Biosciences, emphasized the importance of these findings. He stated, "Our data from KINECT-PRO highlights that remission of tardive dyskinesia symptoms with INGREZZA can be achieved much earlier than previously thought, a crucial milestone for patients suffering from these distressing movements."
This research not only reinforces INGREZZA's potential effectiveness in treating tardive dyskinesia but also showcases the value of listening to patients about how their conditions affect their lives. Such insights are invaluable as they push forward the agenda of making patient quality of life paramount in treatment choices.
Conclusion
These promising results fortify the stance that INGREZZA could be a game-changer for those struggling with tardive dyskinesia, proposing a new treatment paradigm where quicker remission and improved quality of life become achievable goals. As Neurocrine Biosciences continues its efforts to enhance treatments for neurological disorders, the ongoing evaluations of outcomes like those in the KINECT-PRO study may pave the way for more effective, patient-centered therapies in the future.
For further information regarding INGREZZA and its role in treating tardive dyskinesia, visit
Neurocrine Biosciences.