Efficacy of perospirone in the management of aggressive behavior associated with dementia

We assessed the efficacy of the serotonin dopamine antagonist, perospirone (PER) on aggressive and agitated behavior in demented patients. Eighteen outpatients with dementia diagnosed according to the DSM-IV were enrolled in this study, and their behavioral symptoms and cognitive impairments were assessed with the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease (BEHAVE-AD) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) instruments for a period of 6 weeks. The maximum benefit of PER was achieved at a mean dose of 7.4 mg/day. Post-hoc analysis showed significant improvement in verbal outbursts after 4 weeks and in agitation scores after 4 and 6 weeks. Only 2 patients dropped out of the study, because of adverse effects, and no serious adverse effect was observed. The data suggest that PER is effective in improving aggressive and agitated behavioral symptoms in demented patients and that it is safe to use in elderly patients.