Skip main navigation
Close Drawer MenuOpen Drawer Menu
APA Publishing Logo

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences.

Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.

×
Back to table of contents
Clinical & Research NewsFull Access

Antipsychotics and Dementia Patients: Key Study Findings

Published Online:1 Jul 2011https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.46.13.psychnews_46_13_20_2

  • Alzheimer's patients taking antipsychotics showed steady, significant declines over time in most cognitive areas, including in scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale.

  • Cognitive function declined more in patients receiving antipsychotics than in those given placebo on multiple cognitive measures, including the MMSE, the cognitive subscale of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and a cognitive summary score summarizing change on 18 cognitive tests.

  • Physicians prescribing antipsychotic medications for Alzheimer's patients with aggression and delusions should consider discontinuing the drugs if patients do not respond.