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Quetiapine for elderly non-responsive schizophrenia patients
Doron Mazeh1, Diana Paleacu, Yoram Barak
1Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Psychiatry Research
|October 12, 2007
Summary
Quetiapine treatment improved symptoms in elderly chronic schizophrenia patients unresponsive to other antipsychotics. While some patients stopped treatment due to side effects, no significant weight gain or movement issues were observed.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Pharmacological Treatments for Schizophrenia
Background:
- Elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia often exhibit treatment resistance.
- Atypical antipsychotics are common but may not be effective for all individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of quetiapine in elderly chronic schizophrenia patients with treatment resistance.
Main Methods:
- Ten elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia, non-responsive to atypical antipsychotics, were switched to quetiapine.
- The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) was used to assess symptom improvement over 6 months.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant improvement in BPRS scores was observed after 6 months of quetiapine treatment.
- Four patients discontinued quetiapine due to clinical exacerbation or sedation.
- No significant increase in abnormal movements or body weight was noted.
Conclusions:
- Quetiapine may be an effective treatment option for elderly chronic schizophrenia patients who are resistant to other atypical antipsychotics.
- Careful monitoring for side effects like sedation and clinical exacerbation is warranted.
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