Drug Therapy for
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
Author(s):
Feng Wang, Ting-Yi Feng, Shilin Yang, Maurice
Preter, Jiang-Ning Zhou and Xiao-Ping Wang Pages 307 - 313 ( 7 )
Abstract:
Dementia, which can be induced by diverse
factors, is a clinical syndrome characterized by the decline of cognitive
function. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) include
depression, agitation, and aggression. Dementia causes a heavy burden on
patients and their caregivers. Patients with BPSD should be assessed
comprehensively by practitioners and offered appropriate non-pharmacologic and
pharmacologic therapy. Nonpharmacologic therapy has been recommended as the
basal treatment for BPSD; however, pharmacologic therapy is required under many
situations. Medications, including antipsychotic agents, antidepressants,
sedative and hypnotic agents, mood stabilizers, cholinesterase inhibitors, and
amantadine, are extensively used in clinical practice. We have reviewed the
progression of pharmacologic therapy for BPSD.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease, antipsychotic, behavioral
and psychological symptoms of dementia, dementia, drug, psychiatric symptoms.
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Shanghai First
People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, China, 200080.
Graphical Abstract:
