Treating the agitated Alzheimer patient.
Dementia is a syndrome that consists of cognitive, psychiatric, and behavioral changes. Studies report from 42% to 62% of nursing home residents and at least 50% of outpatients with dementia exhibit behavioral disturbances. Agitation is a frequent behavioral disturbance associated with dementia. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) regulations have made it imperative that physicians review and be familiar with alternative treatment options. We review and present strategies for the evaluation and treatment of agitation in demented patients.
Zayas
E M
EM
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, MO 63104, USA.
Grossberg
G T
GT
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002065:Buspirone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D015995:Prevalence; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D002065:Buspirone