The Effect of Risperidone on Controlling Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNDS Behavioral and psychological symptoms as well as cognitive impairement are very disturbing symptoms in dementia. It is important in managing dementia patient to control these behavioral and psychological symptoms. In this study, we examined the effect of risperidone and optimal therapeutic dosage on controlling these behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). METHODS: 57 patients (male 19, female 38) with dementia, aged 65 and older in Buyeo geriatric hospital located in Buyeo-gun, chung-nam, were finally included in this study. risperidone was administrated to these subjects for 10 weeks to control BPSD. Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD) was rated before administration of risperidone and after administration of risperidone for 10 weeks to evaluate the improvement of BPSD. Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) was rated before administration of risperidone. The correlation between baseline GDS score and the change of sum score of BEHAVE-AD was analyzed. RESULT: The mean dose of resperidone at the endpoint was 0.706+/-0.522 mg/d. The significant reduction of the sum score of BEHAVE-AD was observed in subjects after administration of risperidone for 10 weeks. Clinical improvement (> or =50% reduction of sum score of BEHAVE-AD from baseline sum score) was showed in 32 subjects (56.1%) among 57 subjects. Also there was weakly negative correlation between baseline GDS score and the change of sum score of BEHAVE0AD. CONCLUSION: Risperidone was effective in controlling BPSD of dementia patients at 0.706+/-0.522 mg/d.