Improving symptoms and side effects in older patients with schizophrenia with decreasing dopamine D2/3 receptor occupancy following resperidone and olanzapine dose reduction

The use of lower doses of antipsychotics is recommended by experts in the treatment of older patients with schizophrenia, with the literature suggesting that older age is related to greater antipsychotic sensitivity.1 To date, three randomised controlled trials have examined the effects of olanzapine and risperidone dose reduction on clinical outcome in schizophrenia with inconsistent results.2–4 However, this topic has not been addressed specifically in older patients with schizophrenia, nor has the relationship between decreased dopamine D receptor occupancy and clinical response. The study, using [C]-raclopride positron emission tomography (PET), is an open-label, single-arm, prospective study. A total of 35 outpatients, 50 years or older, with clinically stable schizophrenia and receiving the …
Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news