Clinician-reported data from the AADMD Conference show INGREZZA® (valbenazine) rapidly reduced tardive dyskinesia severity in patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with 89% improving within four weeks and broad gains in daily functioning.
Written By: Fariha Sameen, PharmD
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
New clinician-reported findings presented at the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD) 24th Annual Education Conference showed that treatment with INGREZZA® (valbenazine) led to rapid and meaningful improvements in tardive dyskinesia (TD) among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Nearly all patients experienced reductions in TD severity after treatment initiation, with 89% showing improvement within four weeks. Clinicians also reported broad gains in functional status, communication, and social well-being.
Addressing an Unmet Need
Individuals with IDD face increased risk of TD due to long-term antipsychotic exposure, yet the condition often remains underdiagnosed and its broader impact underestimated. Beyond involuntary movements, TD can impair independence, communication, emotional health, and social interactions. INGREZZA, a selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved in the U.S. for TD and chorea associated with Huntington’s disease, reduces excessive dopamine signaling that drives abnormal movements.
Study Design and Population
The first-of-its-kind clinician-reported analysis evaluated 30 individuals with IDD who initiated INGREZZA between January and June 2024, completed at least two months of treatment, and attended at least one follow-up visit. Participants had a mean age of 47.3 years, with schizophrenia (70%) and mood disorders (17%) as the most common psychiatric comorbidities. At baseline, 70% of patients had moderate or severe TD symptoms, and 90% showed impairment in overall functional status.
Rapid Symptom Reduction
Results demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in TD severity following treatment initiation. Among evaluable patients, 89% experienced improvement within four weeks, underscoring the rapid onset of benefit. These findings add to growing real-world evidence supporting valbenazine in patient populations frequently underrepresented in clinical research.
Functional Gains Across Daily Life
Improvements extended beyond movement symptoms. Among patients with baseline impairment, 96% improved in overall functional status. Gains were reported in independence (83%), emotional well-being (85%), social interactions (92%), dexterity (91%), and speech (100%). These outcomes suggest that reducing TD symptoms may translate into meaningful improvements in daily activities and quality of life.
Expert Commentary
Neurocrine Biosciences Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sanjay Keswani noted that TD in individuals with IDD is often unrecognized and untreated. He emphasized that these clinician-reported findings complement patient-reported outcomes from the Phase 4 KINECT-PRO study, further supporting INGREZZA’s potential to improve outcomes most meaningful to patients, families, and caregivers.
Building on Prior Evidence
The analysis expands upon a previously published case series involving five adults with IDD and TD who experienced reductions in abnormal movements alongside improvements in daily functioning and social engagement. Together, the findings reinforce that TD is more than a movement disorder—it can substantially affect communication, independence, and emotional well-being.
Implications for Clinical Practice
These real-world findings provide valuable evidence in a historically underrepresented population and support earlier recognition and treatment of TD in individuals with IDD. The results strengthen the growing body of evidence showing that INGREZZA may improve not only abnormal movements but also broader aspects of daily functioning that matter to patients, caregivers, and clinicians in routine practice.
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About the Writer
Fariha Sameen, PharmD (LinkedIn), is a clinical pharmacy professional with hands-on experience in patient counselling, medication review, therapeutic monitoring, and clinical documentation across multiple departments. She has experience identifying and assessing drug-related problems and supporting medication safety practices. Her interests include pharmacovigilance, ADR reporting, clinical research, and medical writing focused on clear, evidence-based communication.