title: Serotonergic drugs for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia.
abstract: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (known also as neuropsychiatric symptoms) are essential features of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The near universal presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia (up to 90% of cases) has brought significant attention of clinicians and experts to the field. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions are recommended for various types of neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, most pharmacological interventions for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are used off-label in many countries. Cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric symptoms can be linked to alterations in multiple neurotransmitter systems, so modification of abnormalities in specific systems may improve clinical status of patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. Use of serotonergic compounds (novel particles acting on specific receptors and widely acting drugs) in the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms is reviewed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.
authors.forename: Radoslaw
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Magierski
authors.affiliation: b Department of Medical Psychology , Medical University of Lodz , Lodz , Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sobow
mesh_terms: D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018490:Serotonin Agents
keywords: 5-hydroxytryptamine; Alzheimer’s disease; behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia; dementia; neuropsychiatric symptoms; serotonin