title: Dementia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dementia is characterised by chronic, global, non-reversible deterioration in memory, executive function, and personality. Speech and motor function may also be impaired.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of treatments on cognitive symptoms of dementia (Alzheimer's, Lewy body, or vascular)? What are the effects of treatments on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (Alzheimer's, Lewy body, or vascular)? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to April 2008 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 33 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this systematic review, we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine), antidepressants (clomipramine, fluoxetine, imipramine, sertraline), antipsychotics (haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone), aromatherapy, benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cognitive stimulation, exercise, ginkgo biloba, memantine, mood stabilisers (carbamazepine, sodium valproate/valproic acid), music therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), omega 3 (fish oil), reminiscence therapy, and statins.
authors: Honorary Reader in Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Warner
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Butler
authors: Susham
authors: S
authors: Gupta
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy; D005702:Galantamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005702:Galantamine; D008559:Memantine