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Behavioral and Neuropsychiatric Outcomes in Alzheimer's Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Jeffrey L. Cummings
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Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia pose significant challenges in the management of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with cognitive decline, highly impaired activities of daily living, and frontal lobe pathology. Moreover, behavioral and psychological symptoms can diminish patient quality of life, increase caregiver distress, and accelerate nursing home placement. Although these symptoms are often associated with the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, a high percentage of individuals with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's report symptoms as well. This article provides an overview of behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and discusses nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to the management of such symptoms. For patients with severe behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, pychotropic agents may be warranted, whereas approved therapies for Alzheimer's, including cholinesterase inhibitors and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine, may be appropriate in less severe cases.

Type
Academic Supplement
Information
CNS Spectrums , Volume 10 , Issue S18: Alzheimer's Disease Pathways to Practice: Assessing Diagnosis and Outcome Measures , November 2005 , pp. 22 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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