Pharmacotherapy of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: time for a different paradigm?
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia can occur in 60-80% of patients with Alzheimer's disease or other dementing illnesses, and are important in that they are a source of significant caregiver stress and often precipitate nursing home placement. These symptoms, namely, aggression, delusions, hallucinations, apathy, anxiety, and depression, are clinically managed with a variety of psychotropic drugs such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, and benzodiazepines. Various advances in the neuropathophysiology and pharmacotherapy must be considered in the optimal design of regimens for patients with these symptoms.
Rojas-Fernandez
C H
CH
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo 79106-1712, USA.
Lanctot
K L
KL
Allen
D D
DD
MacKnight
C
C
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001519:Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs