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Schizophrenia Drugs May Spur Subtle Brain Tissue Loss
Posted 10 Feb 2011 by Drugs.com
MONDAY, Feb. 7 – The use of antipsychotic drugs to treat schizophrenia is associated with the loss of a small but measurable amount of brain tissue, a new study finds. It included 211 schizophrenia patients who each underwent an average of three MRI brain scans over 7.2 years, for a total of 674 scans in the study group. The researchers then examined how four factors affected changes in brain volume over time: illness duration, illness severity, substance abuse and treatment with antipsychotic drugs. Longer duration of illness and antipsychotic treatment were both associated with loss of brain tissue. Higher doses of antipsychotics were associated with overall brain tissue loss, reduced gray matter and progressive declines in white matter. Illness severity and substance abuse had little or no association with brain tissue changes, according to the study, published in the February issue ... Read more
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FDA Medwatch Alert: Antipsychotics, Conventional and Atypical
Posted 16 Jun 2008 by Drugs.com
[Posted 06/16/2008] FDA notified healthcare professionals that both conventional and atypical antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of mortality in elderly patients treated for dementia-related psychosis. In April 2005, FDA notified healthcare professionals that patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Since issuing that notification, FDA has reviewed additional information that indicates the risk is also associated with conventional antipsychotics. Antipsychotics are not indicated for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis. The prescribing information for all antipsychotic drugs will now include the same information about this risk in a BOXED WARNING and the WARNINGS section.[June 16, 2008 - Information for Healthcare Professionals - FDA] Read more
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