Risperidone and the treatment of psychiatric, motor, and cognitive symptoms in Huntington's disease.
BACKGROUND
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive, neuropsychiatric disorder, and limited reports indicate that risperidone might improve motor and psychiatric functioning for these patients.


METHODS
In a retrospective, chart review study to evaluate the effectiveness of risperidone on motor, psychiatric, and cognitive functioning in HD, 17 patients taking risperidone in the course of clinical care and 12 patients not taking any antipsychotic medication were compared across a year.


RESULTS
Patients taking risperidone demonstrated significantly improved psychiatric functioning and motor stabilization, whereas patients not taking risperidone were stable psychiatrically and worsened motorically.


CONCLUSIONS
Although controlled clinical trials are clearly needed, these preliminary results support the use of risperidone in patients with HD in treating their psychiatric and possibly motor symptoms.
Duff
Kevin
K
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000, USA. kevin-duff@uiowa.edu
Beglinger
Leigh J
LJ
O'Rourke
Margaret E
ME
Nopoulos
Peg
P
Paulson
Henry L
HL
Paulsen
Jane S
JS
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018967:Risperidone