Neuroleptics Cause Early Death in Alzheimer's Patients

Filed in archive News , Studies , Treatment on April 2, 2007

A new research by funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust revealed that many Alzheimer's patients are dying earlier because of sedatives - known as neuroleptics - they are being prescribed.

...the drugs were linked with a significant increase in long-term mortality - with patients dying on average six months earlier.

...neuroleptics, were associated with a significant deterioration in verbal fluency and cognitive function, and that neuroleptic treatment had no benefit to patients with the mildest symptoms

Neuroleptics are being prescribed to as many as 45% of people with Alzheimer's disease residing in nursing homes for treatment of the AD patients' behavioral symptoms like aggression.

According to Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust:

"These results are deeply troubling and highlight the urgent need to develop better treatments. 700,000 people are affected by dementia in the UK, a figure that will double in the next 30 years. The Government needs to make Alzheimer's research funding a priority."

Alarming indeed! But how would you control aggression in AD patients? Is there a less harmful alternative to neuroleptics?

This study, conducted by King's College London researchers is the largest (and the only long term) neuroleptic withdrawal study of Alzheimer's patients.

Read the full report.