Journal Top Ten, Columns-Drugs & Supplements, December 2005

ARTICLE: 'Risk of Death With Atypical Antipsychotic Drug Treatment for Dementia: Meta-analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials'

JOURNAL: Journal of the American Medical Association. 2005;294:1934-1943.

CONTEXT: Atypical antipsychotic medications are widely used to treat delusions, aggression, and agitation in people with Alzheimer disease and other dementia. However, concerns have arisen about the increased risk for cerebrovascular adverse events, rapid cognitive decline and mortality with their use.

STUDY: Published and unpublished randomized placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trials of atypical antipsychotic drugs marketed in the United States to treat patients with Alzheimer disease …