The effect of milenperone on the aggressive behavior of psychogeriatric patients. A double-blind placebo-controlled study

The antiaggressive action and side effects of a new neuroleptic, milenperone, were evaluated in 20 non-psychotic psychogeriatric patients by means of a double-blind randomized pilot study in comparison with placebo. In this study, milenperone was added to the existing medication as an adjuvant. The test substance was administered in a dose of 2 X 5 mg daily for the first 3 weeks, in a dose of 2 X 10 mg daily for the following 3 weeks. The addition of milenperone to the preexisting medication decreased the aggressiveness scores, significantly on the Paranoid Belligerence Scale, not significantly on the Visual Analogue Line. The improvement of the aggressiveness scores on the Paranoid Belligerence Scale was only significantly apparent when the dose was doubled. In spite of the association with milenperone, the severity and frequency of the side effects did not increase during the investigation.