Anticholinergic Burden in Schizophrenia

Summary

Anticholinergic antiparkinsonian agents often cause side-effects including cognitive impairment, dry mouth, and constipation while they diminish antipsychotic-induced parkinsonian symptoms. The introduction of second generation antipsychotics (SGA) brought fewer neurological side effects. However, anticholinergic coprescription rates are still as high as 12-65% in patients on SGA that are much higher than the incidence of EPS reported in clinical trials (3-20%). This apparently discrepancy is likely explained, in part, by the established tradition of routine use of this medications. Older patients are particularly sensitive to anticholinergic side-effects due to age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. In this study, we will examine the safety and benefits of reducing the dose of a frequently prescribed anticholinergics, benztropine, on cognitive function, extrapyramidal symptoms, and psychotic symptoms in older subjects with a primary psychotic disorder.

Timeline

Start

2007-06

Primary completion

2011-12

Completion

2011-12

Drugs

Indications