Metabolic Side Effects of Antipsychotics are Known, but Rarely Monitored
April 6, 2005 08:10

The early findings he?s presenting in Savannah show a modest reduction in this circuitry with long-term use of risperidone or Risperdal?. "What we are finding in this study is that risperidone actually decreases alpha 7 nicotinic receptors in the hippocampus and cortex, big areas for memory," says Dr. Terry.

However monitoring for these problems including getting baseline data on personal and family health history as well as baseline and regular checks of height and body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and lipid levels largely goes undone, researchers say of findings being presented during the 10th International Congress on Schizophrenia Research April 2-6 in Savannah, Ga.

What we have found is that metabolic problems often associated with these drugs are a substantial concern and that clinicians are slowly beginning to change their practice to reflect that concern, said Dr. Peter F. Buckley, lead investigator on the study and chair of the MCG Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior.

http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/medicine_health/report-42636.html