Sign in Subscribe
Adults

Long-Term Effects of Valbenazine on Tardive Dyskinesia in Elderly Adults

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

New research has shed light on the long-term effects of valbenazine on tardive dyskinesia in elderly adults. The study, conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University, aimed to evaluate the effects of once-daily valbenazine (40 or 80 mg) on tardive dyskinesia in adults aged 65 years and older. The findings showed substantial and sustained improvements in tardive dyskinesia, as measured by clinician assessment and patient report, with no impact on psychiatric stability.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study pooled data from two 48-week studies, KINECT 3 extension (NCT02274558) and KINECT 4 (NCT02405091), to evaluate the long-term effects of valbenazine on tardive dyskinesia in elderly adults.
  • The study found robust and sustained improvements in tardive dyskinesia, with 58.0%, 88.5%, and 89.3% of participants meeting response thresholds at Weeks 8, 24, and 48, respectively.
  • The improvements were consistent across different age groups, with no significant differences between adults aged 65-74 years and those aged 75 years and older.
  • The study also found that valbenazine had no impact on psychiatric stability, with no significant changes in the Clinical Global Impression of Change-TD (CGI-TD) or Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scores.
  • The research concluded that long-term treatment with valbenazine led to substantial and sustained improvements in tardive dyskinesia, as measured by clinician assessment and patient report.

Statistics:

  • 58.0% of participants met the response threshold for a 30% improvement in Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) total score at Week 8.
  • 88.5% of participants met the response threshold for a 30% improvement in AIMS total score at Week 24.
  • 89.3% of participants met the response threshold for a 30% improvement in AIMS total score at Week 48.
  • 40.0%, 65.4%, and 82.1% of participants met the response threshold for a 50% improvement in AIMS total score at Weeks 8, 24, and 48, respectively.
  • The mean change from baseline in AIMS total score in the ≥65-year age group increased from -4.5 (±0.7) at Week 8 to -8.8 (±0.9) at Week 48.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Case Western Reserve University Update Understanding of Dyskinesias [Improvements Over Time With Valbenazine In Elderly Adults ( ≥ 65 Years) With Tardive Dyskinesia]. Mental Health Weekly Digest. June 2, 2025; p 211.
  • Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Improvements Over Time With Valbenazine In Elderly Adults ( ≥ 65 Years) With Tardive Dyskinesia. 2025;86(2).
  • Case Western Reserve University. Department of Psychiatry. Available at:
  • Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. Available at:

Read more