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Psychotropic medication use and cognition in institutionalized older adults with mild to moderate dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2009

Laura H. P. Eggermont ,
Kerst de Vries  and
Erik J. A. Scherder
Laura H. P. Eggermont*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Kerst de Vries
Affiliation:
Nursing Home St. Jacob, Osiragroep, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Erik J. A. Scherder
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Institute of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Laura H. P. Eggermont, VU University, Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Phone: +31-20-598-8878, Fax: +31-20-598-8761. Email: LHP.Eggermont@psy.vu.nl.
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Abstract

Background: Most studies examining psychotropic medication use on cognition in older persons with dementia include measures of global cognitive function. The present study examined the relationship between different types of psychotropic medication and specific cognitive functions in older people with dementia.

Methods: Two hundred and six institutionalized older adults with dementia (180 women, mean age 85 years) were administered neuropsychological tests. Psychotropic medication use was extracted from their medical status and categorized as: sedatives, antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Results: Analysis of covariance revealed that psychotropic consumers, and particularly those who used antipsychotics, performed worse on neuropsychological tests of executive/attentional functioning than non-consumers. There were no differences between consumers of other classes of psychotropic drugs and non-consumers. The number of psychotropic drugs used was inversely related to executive/attentional functioning.

Conclusions: These findings show that in institutionalized older adults with dementia, specific impairment of cognitive function, i.e. executive/attentional impairments, are associated with antipsychotic medication use. Future longitudinal studies are recommended.

Keywords

antipsychotic agentsantidepressant agentshypnotics and sedativescognitive performancecognitive disordersnursing homeshomes for the aged
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 21 , Issue 2 , April 2009 , pp. 286 - 294
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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