The treatment of behavioral disturbances and psychosis associated with dementia.
Behavioral disturbances and psychosis associated with dementia are becoming an increasingly common cause of morbidity in patients with dementia. Approximately 70% of individuals with dementia will experience agitation, and 75% will experience symptoms of psychosis such as delusions or hallucinations. The goal of this article is to review the pharmacologic treatment options for behavioral disturbances and psychosis associated with dementia. A literature review was conducted on PubMed/Medline using key words of "dementia" and "interventions." The results were filtered for meta-analysis, clinical trials, and systematic reviews. The results were then reviewed. At this time, the most evidence exists for the use of a second generation antipsychotics (SGAs), but consideration should be given to their collective boxed warning of morbidity/mortality. The evidence for second line treatments are limited. There is limited evidence to support the use of first generation antipsychotics (FGAs), antidepressants, anticonvulsants, cognitive enhancers, and analgesics. Additional randomized control trials are needed to guide clinical decision making regarding the behavioral disturbances and psychosis associated with dementia.
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA.
Jeannie D
JD
Lochhead
Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA.
Michele A
MA
Nelson
Chair of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, UC Riverside School of Medicine.
Gerald A
GA
Maguire
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
behavioral disturbances; dementia; psychosis