Open-label, observational study of the effects of risperidone on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and caregiver stress in the community setting.

Background: Behavioral disturbances and psychological symptoms of dementia--such as agitation, aggression, and psychosis--compromise patients' quality of life and daily functioning as well as contribute to caregiver burden and the decision to institutionalize the relative with the disease.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the effects of risperidone on noncognitive symptoms and caregiver burden in the community setting. The tolerability of risperidone was also assessed.