In the course of dementia non-cognitive behavioral disorders are highly prevalent. Behavioral and psychological signs and symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are more important on a daily basis than cognitive deficits both to the patient and caregiver given the resulting distress and disability. BPSD often lead to institution placement. The rationale for the use of psychotropic drugs is partially based on phenomenological similarities of some behaviors observed in elderly demented patients to signs and symptoms of psychiatric disorders such as depressive illnesses, anxiety or psychotic disorders in non-demented patients. In fact, BPSD are often qualitatively different from those that characterize psychotic, depressive, or anxious disorders. Treatment follow-up studies suggest that the psychotropic drugs are less effective in patients with Alzheimer's disease or frontal lobe dementia than in patients with psychiatric disorders. Non-pharmacological approaches are the first choice in the treatment of BPSD. Cholinesterase inhibitors for treating BPSD in Alzheimer's disease and Lewi body dementia represent a promising therapeutical approach.
Dementia; Therapy; Disruptive behavior disorder
