Comparison of Amisulpride and Risperidone in the Treatment of Psychosis in Patients with Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type

ABSTRACT

This study compared the effectiveness and tolerability of amisulpride and risperidone in patients with psychosis associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). This 8-week open label study randomized 72 patients with DAT associated psychosis either to amisulpride (n=36) and risperidone (n=36). The effectiveness of the treatments was assessed with the Korean version of Neuropsychiatry Inventory (K-NPI) psychosis subscale and total K-NPI and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) scale. The Simpson-Angus Rating Scale, the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale were used for the assessment of side effects. The K-NPI psychosis subscale, total K-NPI and CGI-S scores were significantly decreased over time in both treatment groups without any significant group difference and time by the group interaction effect. There were no serious adverse events in both groups. This study showed that either amisulpride or risperidone would be effective and tolerable for treating psychotic symptom associated with DAT. Adequately powered studies with a head-to-head comparison design will be mandatory to draw any definite conclusion.