In 2007, investigators affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs reported the 12-month mortality rates for all retired veterans who received a diagnosis of dementia in fiscal year 2002 or 2003.
	Study design:
	The study identified dementia patients from a national database of veterans (23,436 individuals) who were 65 years of age or older.
	Excluded from the investigation:
	any patient who had used psychiatric drugs in the 6 months                 preceding the diagnosis of dementia
	any patient who had previous or new diagnoses of a seizure    disorder
	any patient who received treatment with lithium