USE OF RISPERIDONE IN PSYCHOTIC DISORDER FOLLOWING ISCHEMIC BRAIN-DAMAGE

Risperidone, a novel atypical neuroleptic agent, was used to treat a p sychotic disorder secondary to ischemic brain damage in a 19-year-old adolescent, who had been treatment-refractory to two conventional anti psychotic agents and valproate, Clinically significant reductions in b ehavioral agitation and psychotic thinking initially appeared within t he first 4 days of treatment with risperidone 3 mg twice daily, Risper idone was well tolerated despite this adolescent's severe cardiac and pulmonary illnesses, There was no evidence of increased neurotoxic sym ptoms in the presence of the ischemic brain damage, With its favorable side effect profile, risperidone mag hold promise in the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders due to general medical conditions.