Anticonvulsant and other non-neuroleptic treatment of agitation in dementia.
Studies have shown that the vast majority of patients with dementia experience some psychopathologic symptoms during the course of their illness. Symptoms of this nature, which can include frightening hallucinations or anxiety of phobic proportions, are subjectively distressing and can lead both to unsafe or violent situations as well as to the preventable use of inappropriate medication, physical restraint, and frequently to institutionalization. These psychopathologic manifestations of dementia often prove to be a burden on family, caregivers, and the health care system as well. This article presents an overview of the assessment and management of agitation as it relates to the severity of dementia symptoms and cognitive deterioration. Specifically, the use of anticonvulsant and other non-neuroleptic therapies is examined.
Tariot
P N
PN
Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, New York, USA.
Schneider
L S
LS
Katz
I R
IR
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors