Galantamine versus risperidone treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with probable dementia : an open randomized trial

• OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of galantamine and risperidone on neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia (NPSD) and global function.METHODS: Using a randomized, controlled and open-blind, one-center trial at an in- and outpatient clinic at a university hospital, we studied 100 adults with probable dementia and NPSD. Participants received galantamine (N = 50, target dose 24 mg) or risperidone (N = 50, target dose 1.5 mg) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was effects on NPSD assessed by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Secondary measures included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating, Clinical Global Impression, and Simpson Angus scales. All tests were performed before and after treatment.RESULTS: Outcome measures were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Ninety-one patients (67% women, mean age 79 ± 7.5 years) with initial NPI score of 51.0 (± 25.8) and MMSE of 20.1 (± 4.6) completed the trial. Both galantamine and risperidone treatments resulted in improved NPSD symptoms and were equally effective in treating several NPI domains. However, risperidone showed a significant treatment advantage in the NPI domains irritation and agitation, F(1, 97) = 5.2, p = 0.02. Galantamine treatment also ameliorated cognitive functions where MMSE scores increased 2.8 points compared with baseline (95% confidence interval: 1.96-3.52). No treatment-related severe side effects occurred.CONCLUSIONS: These results support that galantamine, with its benign safety profile, can be used as first-line treatment of NPSD symptoms, unless symptoms of irritation and agitation are prominent, where risperidone is more efficient.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Geriatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Geriatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

NPI

NPSD

Neuropsychiatric symptoms

dementia

galantamine

risperidone

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)