title: Treatment of agitation following traumatic brain injury: a review of the literature.
abstract: Agitation, restlessness, and aggression are frequent neurobehavioural sequelae in the early stages of recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI). These behavioural symptoms disrupt patient care and impede rehabilitation efforts. We review the current literature (1985 onwards) examining the pharmacological management of post-TBI agitation in both acute and post-acute conditions. This article will assess the evidence for the use of selected alkylphenols, benzodiazepines, estrogens, antiandrogens, neuroleptics/antipsychotics, antidepressants, anti-Parkinsonian agents, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, lithium carbonate, buspirone, beta-blockers, and psychostimulants in agitated TBI survivors. Review of the literature suggests that there is limited evidence to accurately guide clinicians in the management of this patient population.
authors.affiliation: St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berson
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bollegala
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seto
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tursanski
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sockalingam
authors.forename: Anshu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajput
authors.forename: Nupura
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krishnadev
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Shree
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhalerao
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000374:Aggression; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000523:psychology*; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents