title: Understanding delusion in dementia: a review.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease and other dementia are associated with cognitive and functional impairment, as well as neuropsychiatric sequelae, including psychotic features. Research has largely concentrated on the study of cognitive decline, but the associated behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms are of equal importance in the clinical profile of the disease. Delusions are common, disabling and persistent in the course of dementia. The purpose of the present review was to examine the phenomenon of delusion in people with dementia. We searched the electronic databases for original research and review articles using the search terms "delusion, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia and Lewy body disease". Various types of explanations have been proposed regarding the etiology of delusional belief in dementia, and cerebral correlates are considered. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Unit, Hospital of Viareggio. Via Aurelia, Lido di Camaiore, Lucca, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cipriani
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Danti
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vedovello
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nuti
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lucetti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003702:Delusions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Lewy body disease; delusion; dementia; frontotemporal dementia; vascular dementia