title: The clinical problem of neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms in dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews behavioral signs and symptoms of dementia that can lead to increased mortality, excessive cognitive and functional disability, early institutionalization, and increased caregiver burnout.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all patients with a dementia will develop significant behavioral disturbances at some point over the course of their illness. These behavioral signs and symptoms rarely fit into usual diagnostic classifications or meet full criteria for a formal major psychiatric disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of behavioral signs and symptoms of dementia should include both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. There are currently no treatments for these disturbances approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Best judgment should be used in identifying dominant target symptoms and matching them to the most relevant drug class. Implementing nonpharmacologic interventions before the development of neuropsychiatric symptoms may prevent triggers related to a progressively lowered stress threshold and therefore is key in the treatment of all patients with a dementia.
authors.affiliation: Banner Alzheimer’s Institute 901 East Willetta St, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA. anna.burke@bannerhealth.com
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Geri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Pierre N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Tariot
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057565:Apathy / Q000187:drug effects; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000209:etiology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
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