title: Agitated dementia: drug vs nondrug treatment.
abstract: When an elderly patient with Alzheimer's disease or other form of dementia exhibits agitated behavior, the caregiver often wants the physician to "do something"--i.e., give a neuroleptic drug. Yet, an individualized, rational approach to identify and treat the cause of the agitation is more effective. We present an algorithm that emphasizes environmental and behavioral therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Cleveland Clinic, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pozuelo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017028:Caregivers; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents