Escitalopram Treatment for BPSD in Alzheimer's Disease in Comparison to Risperidone

Summary

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are among the most distressing manifestations of dementia. Pharmacotherapy is frequently used and especially in institutional settings. Current guidelines recommend the use of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Nonetheless, there are concerns regarding both their safety and effectiveness in patients with dementia. Inconclusive evidence support the use of other psychoactive agents such as SSRI antidepressants or cognitive enhancers. In two published studies citalopram was as efficacious as, but better tolerated than perphenazine or risperidone in patients with BPSD. Thus, with proven efficacy and a beneficial safety profile the evaluation of the use of escitalopram for BPSD is warranted.

Timeline

Start

2008-04

Primary completion

2010-04

Completion

2010-05

Publications

• Background Pollock BG, Mulsant BH, Rosen J, Mazumdar S, Blakesley RE, Houck PR, Huber KA. A double-blind comparison of citalopram and risperidone for the treatment of behavioral and psychotic symptoms associated with dementia. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Nov;15(11):942-52. doi: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e3180cc1ff5. Epub 2007 Sep 10.

Drugs

Indications