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Drugs Fail On Mentally Disabled

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By BENEDICT CAREY, The New York Times

Published: January 4, 2008

The drugs most widely used to manage aggressive outbursts in intellectually disabled people are no more effective than dummy pills for most patients and may be less so, researchers report.

The finding, being published today, sharply challenges standard medical practice in mental health clinics and nursing homes in the United States and around the world.

In recent years, many doctors have begun to use the so-called anti-psychotic drugs, which were developed to treat schizophrenia, as all-purpose tranquilizers to settle threatening behavior - in children with attention-deficit problems, college students with depression, older people with Alzheimer's disease and intellectually handicapped people.

The new study tracked 86 adults with low IQs in community housing in England, Wales and Australia over more than a month of treatment. It found a 79 percent reduction in aggressive behavior among those taking placebo pills, compared with a reduction of 65 percent or less in those taking anti-psychotic drugs.

The researchers focused on two drugs, Risperdal by Janssen and an older generic drug, Haldol, but said the findings almost certainly applied to all similar medications.

Such drugs account for more than $10 billion in annual sales, and research suggests that at least half of all prescriptions are for unapproved "off-label" uses - often to treat aggression or irritation.

The authors said the results are quite likely to intensify calls for a government review of British treatment standards for such patients, and perhaps to prompt more careful study of treatment for aggressive behavior in patients with a wide variety of diagnoses.

Other experts said the findings are also almost certain to inflame a continuing debate about the widening use of anti-psychotic drugs. Patient advocates and some psychiatrists say the medications are overused.

Previous studies of the drugs' effect on aggressive outbursts have been mixed, with some showing little benefit and others a strong calming influence. The drugs have serious side effects, however, including rapid weight gain and tremors, and doctors have had little rigorous evidence to guide practice.

"This is a very significant finding by some very prominent psychiatrists" - one that directly challenges the status quo, said Johnny L. Matson, a professor of psychology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, co-author of an editorial with the study in the journal Lancet.

Although it is unclear how much the study by itself will alter prescribing habits, "the message to doctors should be, think twice about prescribing, go with lower doses and monitor side effects very carefully," Matson continued, adding: "Or just don't do it. We know that behavioral treatments can work very well with many patients."

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