Centre for Policy on Ageing



Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia
Author(s)	Nitin Purandare, N H P Allen, Alistair Burns
Journal title	Reviews in Clinical Gerontology, vol 10, no 3, August 2000
Pages	pp 245-260
Keywords	Dementia ; Symptoms ; Behaviour disorders ; Mental health [elderly] ; Literature reviews.
Annotation	Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have been defined as "symptoms of disturbed perception, thought content, mood and behaviour that frequently occur in patients with dementia." BPSD are now recognised to be an integral part of dementia, and are responsible for significant stress to the sufferer and burden on carers. Psychological symptoms include psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions and misidentification), affective symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and sleep disorders. Behavioural disturbances include agitation, aggression and wandering. The authors review BPSD and its aetiology and diagnosis; the relationship of BPSD to the course and severity of dementia; pharmacological treatments including the role of acetylcholinesterase; non-pharmacological management; and education of carers. Research on cross-cultural aspects is considered, which could help reduce financial and social costs of dementia in both developed and developing countries. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-001130209 A
Classmark	EA: CT: EP: D: 64A
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.