Brexpiprazole for the Treatment of Agitation in Alzheimer Dementia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
In RCT (n=345), brexpiprazole (an atypical antipsychotic) 2mg or 3mg reduced agitation vs placebo (least-squares mean difference in Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory total score from baseline to week 12:−5.32; 95% CI, −8.77- −1.87;p=0.003) & was generally well tolerated.
Source:
JAMA Neurology
SPS commentary:
Editorial suggests that the treatment of agitation in patients with Alzheimer disease is a treatment priority, and notes that the options for pharmacological interventions are limited. It highlights that brexpiprazole has been approved in the US as a treatment for agitation in people with AD, and appears to have several safety advantages compared to other atypical antipsychotics, in particular a relatively low risk of falls, fractures, sedation, and extrapyramidal symptoms.