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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment of dementia-associated agitation, aggression and disruptive behavior | | Author(s) | James W Cooper |
| Journal title | Journal of Geriatric Drug Therapy, vol 12, no 3, 1999 |
| Pages | pp 5-28 |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Behaviour disorders ; Aggression ; Confusion ; Drugs ; Psychiatric treatment ; Assessment procedures for mental patients. |
| Annotation | The differentiation of dementia from depression and delirium is presented. Assessment of the need and efficacy of antidepressants in dementia-associated depression is essential to safe use of these medications. Medication associated with drug-induced delirium, depressive symptoms and worsening of cognition must be recognised and minimised. Cholinesterase inhibitors may play a role in attenuating mental decline in dementia if the anticholinergic load from other drugs is minimal. Non-pharmacological interventions are preferred first steps of interventions with dementia-associated behavioural problems. Preferred pharmacological interventions for behavioural problems are buspirone, newer antidepressants and antipsychotics, with minimal usage of benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and antipsychotics. The use of dementia staging scales and depressant assessment instruments may allow a more objective appraisal of patient status and drug efficacy as well as toxicity. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-990723225 A |
| Classmark | EA: EP: EPB: EDC: LLD: LP: DA:4C |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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