Double blind placebo controlled randomised trials of neuroleptics for behavioural and psychological signs in dementia

 

 

Study and year

Active agent

Duration (weeks)

Sample size

Mean age (years)

Mean outcome assessment

% Significantly improved

Comments

1960(1)

Chlorpromazine

8

32

75

Clinical observation

NS

Proportions not specified

1962(2)

Trifluoperazine

8

27

71

Behavioural assessment scale

22 v 0

All medically unwell

1962(3)

Acetophonazine

8

19

71

Clinical observation

64 v 20

 

 

1964(4)

Haloperidol

6

18

71

Unvalidated checklist

89 v 67

 

 

1973(5)

Penfluridol

 

 

36

81

Beoordingsschaal Oudere Pattienten

NS

Portions not specified

1976(6)

Thiothixene

 

 

42

76

Brief psychiatric rating scale

59 v 55

 

 

1982(7)

Haloperidol loxepine

8

61

73

Brief psychiatric rating scale

65 v 58 v 36

 

 

1982(8)

Thioridozine loxepine

8

53

83

Brief psychiatric rating scale

59 v 68 v 47

 

 

1995(9)

Thiothixene

11

33

85

Cohen-Mansfield agitation inventory

65 v 19

 

 

1998(10)

Risperidone haloperidol

12

344

81

Behav-AD

76 v 69 v 61

 

 

1999(11)

Risperidone

12

435

83

Behav-AD

68 v 61

Overall difference significant only for 2 mg/day

  1. Abse DW, Dahlstrom WG, Hill C. The value of chemotherapy in senile mental disturbance. JAMA 1960;174:2036-42.
  2. Hamilton LD, Bennett JL. The use of trifluoperazine in geriatric patients with chronic brain syndrome. J Am Geriatr Soc 1962;10:140-7.
  3. Hamilton LD, Bennett JL. Acetophenazine for hyperactive geriatric patients. Geratrics 1962;17:596-601.
  4. Sugarmann AA, Williams BH, Alderstein AM. Haloperidol in the psychiatric disorders of old age. Am J Psych 1964;120:1190-2.
  5. Cahn LA, Diesfeldt HFA. The use of neuroleptics in the treatment of dementia in old age. Psych Neurol Neuochir 1973;76:411-20.
  6. Rada RT, Kellner R. Thiothixene in the treatment of geriatric patients with chronic organic brain syndrome. J Am Geriatr Soc 1976;3:105-7.
  7. Petrie WM, Ban TA, Berney S. Loxepine in psychogeriatrics: a placebo and standard controlled clinical investigation. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1982;2:122-6.
  8. Barnes R, Veith R, Okimoto J. Efficacy of antipsychotic medications in behaviourally disturbed dementia patients. Am J Psych 1982;139:1170-4.
  9. Finkel SI. Lyons JS, Anderson RL, Sherell J, Davis J. A randomised placebo controlled trial of thiothixene in agitated demented nursing home patients. Int J Ger Psych 1995;10:129-36.
  10. Burns A, craig S. Neuroleptics in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurobiol Aging 1998;19 (suppl 4):450.
  11. Katz IR, Joste DV, Mintzer JE, Clyde C, Napolitano J, Brecher M. Comparison of risperidone and placebo for psychological and behavioural disturbances associated with dementia: a randomised double blind trial. J Clin Psych 1999;60:107-15.



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