New Antipsychotics Research - Alzheimer's Society Comments, UK
This important research demonstrates that antipsychotic drugs not only have no long-term benefit for people with dementia, but also cause significant cognitive deterioration.
Over 100,000 people with dementia are currently prescribed antipsychotic drugs. Previous research has shown that antipsychotic drugs increase the risk of stroke and death for people with dementia. This blanket prescription puts vulnerable people at risk of side effects that are extremely distressing for the person and their families. This widespread over prescription to people with dementia must stop.
Dementia isn't just forgetfulness; it's caused by diseases of the brain and more than half of all people with dementia experience behavioural symptoms as part of their condition. Alzheimer's Society research has shown that basic dementia training can help staff deal with these symptoms and reduce the use of antipsychotics drugs by 50 per cent. It is time we stop wasting money giving people drug treatments with no benefit and start investing in good quality dementia care.
A report from the first parliamentary inquiry into the overuse of these drugs is due to be published next month. It is vital the government acts now to address this serious issue. Anti-psychotics should only be given to a person with dementia as a last resort in the short term, when all other treatment options fail.
Neil Hunt, Chief Executive Alzheimer's Society
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia accepted oral evidence from experts on the prevalence, reasons for use and side effects of antipsychotics in February 2008.
A study by the Alzheimer's Society published in the British Medical Journal on 16 March 2006 found that training and educating care home staff about dementia reduces disruptive behaviour and the use of antipsychotics by 50%
"A Randomised, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Dementia Patients Continuing or Stopping Neuroleptics (The DART-AD Trial)"
Clive Ballard, Marisa Margallo Lana, Megan Theodoulou, Simon Douglas, Rupert McShane, Robin Jacoby, Katja Kossakowski, Ly-Mee Yu, Edmund Juszczak, on behalf of the Investigators DART AD
PLoS Medicine Vol. 5, No. 4, e76 doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0050076
Click here to read research article online
About the Alzheimer's Society
The Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.
The Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.
Alzheimer's Society
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