Anti-psychotic drugs given to Alzheimer’s patients could almost double the risk of death over three years, according to a study partly conducted in Oxfordshire care homes.

The study, funded by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, was led by Prof Clive Ballard at King’s College in London and was published in Lancet Neurology.

The project involved 165 Alzheimer’s patients in care homes who were being prescribed the drugs.

In the study, 83 continued treatment while the remaining 82 had it withdrawn and were given oral placebos.

Prof Robin Jacoby, 66, from Oxford University’s department of psychiatry, led a team of researchers who helped gather data in several care homes in Oxford and the surrounding area.

The study found that, after three years, less than a third of people on anti-psychotics were alive, compared to nearly two thirds using the dummy drug.

Prof Jacoby said: “The results are quite striking and should be used to educate doctors that these drugs should be used on a short-term basis.”

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said the findings were a “wake-up call” and highlighted the need to develop better treatments.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk