title: Pharmacologic approach to management of agitation associated with dementia.
abstract: Dementia is a complex syndrome associated with cognitive impairment, personality change, and behavioral disturbance. Behavioral symptoms frequently present the greatest challenge for caregivers and are often the determining factor in institutional placement. Determining the need for pharmacologic treatment of an agitated patient requires considering the full range of biopsychosocial variables and ultimately involves assessing the risks and benefits of the medications selected for the patient. In this article, the phenomenology of agitation is reviewed along with the pharmacologic treatment of agitation in patients with dementia, including the use of benzodiazepines, neuroleptics, beta-adrenergic-blocking agents, serotonergic agents, carbamazepine, and lithium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex. 77030.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kunik
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yudofsky
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hales
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008094:Lithium; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors