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Treatment of Behavioral Symptomatology of Alzheimer's Disease, With Emphasis on Aggression: Current Clinical Approaches

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 January 2005

Gabe J. Maletta
Affiliation:
Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Medical Center and Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Abstract

A scientific information base is developing which focuses on understanding and managing behavior problems in geriatric populations, especially those with dementing illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. Many of these behavior problems occur in long-term care settings, which have a high prevalence of residents exhibiting emotional and behavioral disorders, often secondary to psychiatric illness. Prior to beginning treatment, behavior disorders must be systematically evaluated and understood to insure optimum care planning. One approach to effectively treating these disorders is to first separate them into two categories: those not amenable to psychotherapeutic medication treatment (nonpsychiatric disorders) and those that are amenable (psychiatric disorders). Specific nonpharmacological treatments may benefit those nonpsychiatric behavioral disorders and include behavioral and environmental paradigms. The psychiatric disorders, especially aggression and assaultive behavior, may be treated beneficially using a variety of psychopharmacological agents, including antianxiety agents, neuroleptics, carbamazapine, ß-blockers, and lithium. The most effective approach toward treating the psychiatric behavior disorders often combines both medication and nonmedication strategies.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1992 Springer Publishing Company

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