Antipsychotics and Alzheimer's

A new study from the UK suggests that neuroleptics commonly given to Alzheimer's patients with behavioral problems provide no benefit and may actually decrease verbal skills.

The term "neuroleptic" refers to medications that are used to affect behavior such as confusion, delusions, hallucinations, aggression, and agitation in patients with psychotic symptoms.  They are also used as sedatives in patients with dementia.

Some of the more common neuroleptics include Haldol, Risperdal, Clozapine, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Geodon, and Abilify.

Many Alzheimer's patients in nursing homes are given neuroleptics to control their behavior.  

In the British study, published in the Public Library of Medical Science, six months of treatment with a neuroleptic resulted in pronounced deficits in verbal skills.  Another study is underway to investigate the hypothesis that neuroleptics may also increase death rates.

Researchers suggest that using neuroleptics to treat behavior problems should be considered a last resort in patients with severe problems who have not responded to other forms of treatment.