Study: British researchers examined the impact of antipsychotic drugs on the thinking and verbal skills, as well as the behaviour, of nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease. Their findings are published in the open access journal Public Library of Science Medicine.

Method: Led by Clive Ballard of King's College Hospital, London, the researchers recruited 165 patients from across the United Kingdom who were already being treated with neuroleptic drugs. Half of them were randomly assigned to continue treatment for 12 months while the other half were given a placebo. At six and 12 months the patients were assessed for their cognitive skills and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Background: Almost all older dementia patients have some neuropsychiatric symptoms ' agitation, aggression and psychosis ' and neuroleptics drugs are often used to control these. Questions about the safety of these drugs on elderly patients included increased risk of stroke, tremors, sedation, edema (swelling) and chest infections.

Claims: Long-term use of neuroleptics (specifically, for this study, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, trifluoperazine and risperdone) were of no benefit for Alzheimer's patients with mild behavioural problems and were linked to a significant deterioration in verbal skills. Continuing preliminary analysis of the data suggests these drugs may also increase death rates.

Caveat: The number of patients in this trial is small and more research is needed to improve their treatment.

Second Opinion by Libby Stephens regularly examines health studies. Source: News release, BBC News

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