Beneficial effects of perospirone on aggressive behavior associated with dementia.
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the serotonin-dopamine antagonist perospirone in treating aggressive and agitated behavior in patients with dementia. Six patients were referred to the outpatient clinic of Ishizaki Hospital and were followed for 6 weeks. Their psychiatric diagnoses were made using the DSM-IV. Their behavioral symptoms and degrees of cognitive impairment were measured using the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease (BEHAVE-AD) and the Mini-Mental Examination State. The changes in BEHAVE-AD scores were investigated. Maximum benefit was achieved at a mean perospirone dose of 9.0 mg/day. No patient experienced severe adverse effects. Post-hoc analysis showed significant improvement in the total BEHAVE-AD and aggressiveness subscale scores within 2 weeks. This study suggests that perospirone is effective in improving aggressive and agitated behavioral symptoms in demented patients and is safe to use in elderly patients.
Sato
Shinji
S
Department of Psychiatry, Tsukuba Memorial Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan. ssato@bg8.so-net.ne.jp
Mizukami
Katsuyoshi
K
Moro
Kazuo
K
Tanaka
Yoshiro
Y
Asada
Takashi
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054833:Isoindoles; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D054833:Isoindoles; D013844:Thiazoles; C065533:perospirone