Risperidone for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia

A case of a 95-year-old man suffering from dementia and additional noncognitive symptoms is reported. Sleep disturbances and restlessness were treated with several psychotropics including polycyclic antidepressants and conventional neuroleptics without success. Receiving this treatment, the patient became increasingly confused and markedly aggressive. In addition, he developed marked extrapyramidal side-effects and became severely sedated during the day. Swtiching to risperidone resulted in a reduction of many of these symptoms. Finally, receiving risperidone, all non-cognitive symptoms and all side-effects completely disappeared. Further, this case shows the importance of an adequate psychopharmacologic training for non-psychiatric physicians who often treat elderly mentally ill in nursing homes and general hospitals. ( Int J Psych Clin Pract 2000; 4: 249 - 251)

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