Treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) represents a major clinical challenge in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Agitation and aggression are frequently seen during institutionalization and increase patient morbidity and mortality and caregiver burden. Off-label use of atypical antipsychotics for treating agitation in AD showed only modest clinical benefits, with high side-effect burden and risk of mortality. Non-pharmacological treatment approaches have become the preferred first-line option. When such treatment fails, pharmacological options are often used. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify effective and safe pharmacological treatments for efficiently treating agitation and aggression in AD and dementia.
Progresses in treating agitation: a major clinical challenge in Alzheimer's disease
SANTAMATO, ANDREA;
2015-01-01
Abstract
Treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) represents a major clinical challenge in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Agitation and aggression are frequently seen during institutionalization and increase patient morbidity and mortality and caregiver burden. Off-label use of atypical antipsychotics for treating agitation in AD showed only modest clinical benefits, with high side-effect burden and risk of mortality. Non-pharmacological treatment approaches have become the preferred first-line option. When such treatment fails, pharmacological options are often used. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify effective and safe pharmacological treatments for efficiently treating agitation and aggression in AD and dementia.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
