title: Efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, a literature review of evidence.
abstract: The objective of this review is to summarize the current data on the use of antidepressants in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and to determine whether these medications can be recommended for routine clinical use. A literature search of six major databases (PubMed, Medline, PsychINFO, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane collaboration) trials, 8 using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) compound and 3 using trazodone showed benefit in the treatment of BPSD. The antidepressant drug was well tolerated in at least 14 of the 19 trials with information about tolerability in one trial not provided in the study (paroxetine or placebo for FTD). This review indicates that antidepressants can be an effective in the treatment of BPSD and are generally well tolerated in elderly demented patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
authors.forename: Genevieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Deena
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: Rajesh R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Tampi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010552:Personality Assessment; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors