Aggressive behavior and neuroleptic medication are associated with increased number of alpha1-adrenoceptors in patients with Alzheimer disease.
OBJECTIVE
Aggressive behavior in dementia is a major clinical management problem.


METHODS
Postmortem brain tissue was obtained from 24 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and 25 comparison cases. [3H] Prazosin binding to alpha1-AdR was determined.


RESULTS
Aggressive behavior was significantly correlated with alpha1-adrenoceptor number in patients with AD (R(s)=0.454, N=24). Furthermore, patients receiving ongoing neuroleptics had significantly higher Bmax for [3H] prazosin (21 +/- 2, N=9) than those who were not (16 +/- 1, N=15).


CONCLUSIONS
Upregulation of alpha1-AdR is associated with aggressive behavior and chronic treatment with neuroleptic medication.
Sharp
Sally I
SI
King's College London, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, UK.
Ballard
Clive G
CG
Chen
Christopher P L-H
CP
Francis
Paul T
PT
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001665:Binding Sites; D002452:Cell Count; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011224:Prazosin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D011224:Prazosin