title: Weight variance associated with atypical neuroleptics in nursing home dementia patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atypical antipsychotics have been reported to cause significant weight gain. This study examined potential weight gain associated with the use of olanzapine or risperidone.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three long-term care facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dementia patients (n = 50) given olanzapine or risperidone for the management of noncognitive behavioral disturbances.
  
  
  METHODS
  Weight changes over a 4-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, patients in both groups lost weight over a 4-month period. Four (16%) of the risperidone patients and no olanzapine patients gained more than 5 pounds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Weight change does not seem to be a significant clinical issue for older dementia patients taking low doses of atypical neuroleptics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Brown University, Providence RI 02903, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Goldberg