Head injuries in Alzheimer’s from antipsychotics?
So-called antipsychotics do not seem to be optimal for people with Alzheimer’s. It was found that the use of antipsychotics in Alzheimer’s patients is associated with an increased risk of head injuries.
The University of Eastern Finland’s latest study found that antipsychotics in Alzheimer’s patients have been linked to the risk of head injuries. The results of the study were published in the English-language journal “Journal of the American Geriatrics Society“Published.
Over 40,000 people took part in the study
The nationwide study was carried out on people in Finland who were in the years 2005 to 2011 Alzheimer was diagnosed. The study included 21,795 patients who started taking antipsychotics and 21,795 patients who did not use such drugs.
What are antipsychotics used for?
Antipsychotics are mostly used to treat various psychotic symptoms. These include hallucinations and delusions. The drugs reduce the absorption of internal and external stimuli. For example, antipsychotics play an important role in the treatment of schizophrenia,
How much did the intake increase the risk of head injuries?
Antipsychotics were associated with a 29 percent higher risk of head injuries. On average, there were 1.65 injuries per 100 people taking antipsychotics over a period of one year, compared to 1.26 injuries per 100 people taking the medication.
More traumatic brain injuries were also found
But not only simple head injuries were more common when people with Alzheimer’s were taking antipsychotics. The use of antipsychotics has also been linked to a 22 percent higher risk of traumatic brain injury.
Quetiapine particularly dangerous?
When comparing antipsychotics, it was found that users of the drug quetiapine had a 60 percent higher risk of traumatic brain injuries compared to people who used risperidone.
Recovery from falls was also affected
People with Alzheimer’s disease are at higher risk of falling, head injuries and traumatic brain injuries. In addition, these people have a poorer prognosis of recovering from such injuries compared to people who did not take the appropriate medication.
More research is needed
The results of the study make it clear that it is very important for people at risk to avoid an increased risk from antipsychotics if possible. Further research on this issue is now needed to provide other effective forms of treatment to those affected and to avoid an increased risk of head injuries in people with Alzheimer’s. (As)
Swell:
- Vesa Tapiainen MD, Piia Lavikainen PhD, Marjaana Koponen PhD, Heidi Taipale PhD, Antti Tanskanen PhD et al .: The Risk of Head Injuries Associated With Antipsychotic Use Among Persons With Alzheimer’s disease, in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Published January 7, 2020 ) Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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Important NOTE:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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