OLANZAPINE AS A POSSIBLE TREATMENT OF BPSD IN VASCULAR DEMENTIA: RISK OF CEREBROVASCULAR EVENTS.

Abstract: Behavioral problems produce excess disability, potentially devastating in cognitively impaired patients. These behavioral symptoms can be a major cause of stress, anxiety and concern for caregivers. While psychotropic drugs are frequently used to control these symptoms, they have the potential for significant side effects, which include sedation, disinhibition, depression, falls, incontinence, parkinsonism and akathisia. We followed up (for 12 months) a group of 346 consecutive outpatients, with a diagnosis of subcortical vascular dementia or multi-infarctual dementia. Patients eligible for this open-label study were required to have behavioral problems (BPSD). Patients were divided into two groups, Group A received olanzapine 2.5-7.5 mg/day while Group B received typical antipsychotics. Patients in both groups were allowed to continue any previous therapy. Patients in both groups were significantly improved in their BPSD. Our patients had a host of medical conditions and rec