Risperidone in the Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are among the most prominent and invasive features of dementia, and increasingly form a target for therapeutic intervention in this cognitively impaired population. Aggression and other behavioral symptoms of dementia (e.g., agitation, purposeless activity, wandering, pacing, psychotic symptoms) are important features of this illness, severely affect patient and caregiver quality of life, and complicate effective medical management. Behavioral symptoms have been described by caregivers as the primary predictor of caregiver burden and cause for negative feelings toward their dependents. In fact, the behavioral symptoms of dementia, particularly aggression and agitation, are the most common reason for admission to the hospital or residential care.