Characteristics, prevalence, risk factors, and underlying mechanism of hyponatremia in elderly patients treated with antidepressants: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of hyponatremia in elderly users of antidepressants, to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hyponatremia, and to identify the underlying mechanisms.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study (March 2007-April 2009) with prospectively collected data. Patients were older than 60 years, used antidepressants, and had a complete geriatric assessment.

Sodium valproate in aggressive behaviour in dementia: a twelve-week open label follow-up study.

Introduction: Short-term randomised clinical trials on valproate in distinct types of disturbed behaviour in dementia showed no effects on aggressive behaviour.

Objectives: To assess the course of disturbed behaviour during medium term treatment with sodium valproate for aggressive behaviour.

Design: An open label observational 12-week follow-up study consecutive to a preceding randomised control trial; assessments at 4-week interval.

Sodium valproate in the treatment of aggressive behavior in patients with dementia--a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: The efficacy and tolerability of sodium valproate 2 x 240 mg compared to placebo were investigated in aggressive behavior in dementia.

Design: A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind cross-over design. The trial included a baseline period (one week); a placebo period (three weeks); a wash-out period with placebo (one week); and a treatment period with sodium valproate (three weeks).

Bright light therapy and melatonin in motor restless behaviour in dementia: a placebo-controlled study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bright light therapy combined with melatonin on motor restless behaviour in dementia.

Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial consisting of four periods. One week wash-out was followed by a 2-week period of light therapy in combination with placebo or melatonin.

Is aggressive behaviour influenced by the use of a behaviour rating scale in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home?

Objective: To study the influence of the introduction of a behaviour rating scale on reported incidence and management of aggressive behaviours in patients in a psychogeriatric nursing home.

Design: An 8-month prospective cohort intervention study.

Setting: Two wards of a Dutch psychogeriatric nursing home with residents of 65 years and older.

Effect of a program of diverse activities on disturbed behavior in three severely demented patients.

The effects of a daily program of various activities on disturbed behavior were studied prospectively in three patients with severe dementia. Prior to the study, patients had not responded to treatment with benzodiazepines and/or neuroleptics. The study consisted of three periods, each lasting for 4 weeks: i.

[Drug use on admission and discharge in a geriatric department of a psychiatric hospital].

Change in medication use was studied in patients admitted to a short-stay geriatric ward of a psychiatric hospital. One hundred ten patients were followed up until discharge from the short-stay ward, or, after transfer, until discharge from the medium-stay ward to home or to a nursing-home. Mean drug use on admission was 2.