Psychosis, psychopathy, and homicide: a preliminary neuropsychological inquiry.

Objective: This study attempted to statistically distinguish subgroups of murderers with mental disorders from among 26 hospitalized men (mean age=34 years) who were committed to a maximum security forensic hospital.

Method: Measures consisted of objective ratings of psychosis and psychopathy and neuropsychological tests of intelligence, memory and attention, executive functions, and academic abilities.

Results: Cluster analysis produced two distinct subgroups: one defined by high incidence of psychosis and low level of psychopathy and one by low incidence of psychosis and high level of psychopathy, each corresponding to distinct neuropsychological differences in intellectual abilities, learning disabilities, and social intelligence.

Risperidone in Elderly Schizophrenic Patients: An Open-Label Trial.

The authors assessed the safety and efficacy of risperidone in a group of elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia and behavioral disturbances (N = 10). There were no clinically significant changes on physical examination. Also, schizophrenic symptoms and cognitive performance improved during risperidone administration.