Clinical efficacy of lamotrigine and changes in the dosages of concomitantly used psychotropic drugs in A lzheimer's disease with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a preliminary open‐label trial

• Published in: Psychogeriatrics Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 32 - 37
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Hidenobu, Gen, Keishi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.2015
• ISSN: 1346-3500; 1479-8301
• DOI: 10.1111/psyg.12085

Abstract Aim We investigated the clinical efficacy and changes in the dosages of concomitantly used psychotropic drugs in lamotrigine therapy in A lzheimer's disease with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia ( BPSD ). Methods This study was a 16‐week, preliminary open‐label trial. The subjects were 40 inpatients. The outcome measures assessed were BPSD and cognitive function. BPSD was assessed with the N europsychiatric I nventory ( NPI ) and cognitive function was assessed with the M ini‐ M ental S tate E xamination. The changes in the dosages of concomitant psychotropic drugs were also assessed. Results Although the mean changes from baseline NPI scores and the two NPI subscales (anxiety and irritability) were significantly lower within the lamotrigine therapy group, no significant differences were found when we compared the lamotrigine therapy group to the control group. The mean decrease from baseline on the NPI agitation subscale, however, was significantly greater in the lamotrigine therapy group than in the control group ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mean decrease from baseline in the diazepam‐equivalent dose was significantly greater in the lamotrigine therapy group than in the control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the administration of lamotrigine to patients with severe A lzheimer's disease with BPSD may be effective and may make it possible to avoid increasing the dosage of antipsychotic medications prescribed to elderly patients.