Abstract
IntroductionBehavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a heterogeneous group of clinical manifestations related to dementia, including apathy, depression, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations, disinhibition, sleep-wake cycle disturbances, aggression and agitation. BPSD have a negative impact on cognitive decline and increase complications.ObjectivesReview treatment management of BPSD including non-pharmacological and pharmacological options, but mainly interventional approaches, such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).MethodsWe conducted a search in PubMed and ClinicalKey with the terms: “Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia”; “Electroconvulsive therapy”.ResultsThe vast majority of patients with dementia will develop one or more BPSD. The etiopathogenesis of BPSD is complex and multifactorial, with multiple direct and indirect factors, namely biological, psychological and social aspects and related to changes in cholinergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotoninergic circuits. Current guidelines recommend non-pharmacological interventions as the first-line approach for BPSD. Pharmacotherapy is often applied, but it carries out the risk of serious side-effects and pharmacologic interactions. There is now growing evidence that interventional approaches, such as ECT, could be safe and efficient when previous treatment options have been exhausted or ineffective, with few contraindications and transient/limited adverse effects.ConclusionsBPSD represent a heterogeneous group of non-cognitive symptoms and behavior that affects most of dementia patients. Combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions is the recommended therapeutic for BPSD. However, there is usually limited clinical improvement and issues related to tolerability and effectiveness. Currently, ECT is considered a safe and effective option.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.