Loxapine in psychogeriatrics: A placebo- and standard-controlled clinical investigation

Both haloperidol- and loxapine-treated patients improved compared to those on placebo on a broad number of clinical ratings reflecting psychopathology and social functioning. Compared to adult psychiatric populations, our global improvement rates of 32 and 35% for loxapine and haloperidol are low. However, we consider our findings still valid because of our placebo response rate of 9%, which is much lower than those usually seen in adult psychopharmacological trials. While the deterioration in the primary symptoms of dementia may limit responsiveness, the data clearly support the superiority of drug treatment over placebo with either of the two active agents.

Duke Scholars

Author William Herman Wilson Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neur ...