Pharmacologic management of neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer disease.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review published clinical trials of the pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer disease (AD).


METHODS
We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for published English-language medical literature. Our review focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and corresponding metaanalyses.


RESULTS
The pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric symptoms of AD has been studied with numerous RCTs. The largest number of studies has focused on antipsychotics. Data are of reasonably high quality and indicate that risperidone and olanzapine are more effective than placebo for institutionalized patients with severe agitation, aggression, and psychosis. The efficacy of antipsychotics is counterbalanced by safety concerns that include cerebrovascular adverse events and mortality. Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine appear to have modest benefits for patients with mildly to moderately severe symptoms. Antidepressants are effective for treating depression in AD, but more data are required to determine the efficacy of trazodone and citalopram for agitation and aggression. Carbamazepine appears to be efficacious, although side effects and concerns about drug-drug interactions limit its use. The data do not support the use of valproate. Benzodiazepines should only be used for short-term, as-needed use. There are insufficient data on other pharmacologic interventions, such as beta blockers, buspirone, and estrogen preparations.


CONCLUSIONS
Although there have been numerous well-designed studies of the pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD, safer and more effective treatments are urgently needed.
Herrmann
Nathan
N
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario. n.herrmann@utoronto.ca
Lanctôt
Krista L
KL
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines