Abstract | BACKGROUND: Behavioural disturbances in dementia are a common cause of excess morbidity, impairing the quality of life for both patient and caregiver. As part of a comprehensive approach to management, which includes a search for underlying causes and behavioural interventions, pharmacotherapy can be extremely helpful in alleviating symptoms such as agitation, aggression, and psychosis. METHOD: This paper reviews recent studies that examine the neurochemical basis of these behavioural disturbances in order to provide a rationale for the various classes of psychotropics which have been used. RESULTS: CONCLUSION: Further controlled studies of all of these agents are required. In order to determine whether transmitter-specific or behavioural-specific targeted interventions truly provide a rationale for the effective pharmacotherapy of these disorders.
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Authors | N Herrmann, K L Lanctôt |
Journal | Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie
(Can J Psychiatry)
Vol. 42 Suppl 1
Pg. 51S-64S
(Jun 1997)
ISSN: 0706-7437 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9220129
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Aged
- Dementia
(drug therapy, physiopathology, psychology)
- Humans
- Psychotropic Drugs
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Social Behavior Disorders
(drug therapy, physiopathology, psychology)
- Treatment Outcome
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