[Changeover to risperidone after treatment with conventional low potency neuroleptics in dementia patients. An...

Up to 90% of the patients with dementia develop behavioral and psychological symptoms during the course of their illness. Since 1999 the atypical neuroleptic risperidone is the only drug approved by the German authorities for the treatment of aggressive behavior or psychotic symptoms of dementia, which was defined in March 2004 with respect to severe chronic aggressive behavior, endangering themselves or others, or impoverishing psychotic symptoms. This prospective investigation was aimed at detecting therapeutic efficacy and the tolerability of risperidone after changing from low-potency neuroleptics in patients, for whom the broader indications before March 2004 were still valid.

Symptoms, activities of daily living and caregivers" burden were documented for 6 weeks in 111 demented patients with chronic aggressive behavior and psychotic symptoms.

Marked improvements of psychotic symptoms, aggressiveness, other behavioral disorders and activities of daily living were observed. Furthermore, a substantial reduction of caregivers' burden was noted. The treatment with risperidone was well tolerated. No patient died and no cerebrovascular events were observed.

Changing the treatment of demented patients from low-potency neuroleptics to risperidone led to marked improvement of symptoms and to a substantial decrease of caregivers' burden.