Agitation Management in Alzheimer's Disease
Summary
Agitation is a common and troublesome neuropsychiatric manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease, affecting almost half of all patients over the course of their illness. Characterised by increased motor activity, irritability, restlessness and verbal or physical aggression, it significantly impairs quality of life, heightens caregiver burden and drives institutionalisation. Underlying mechanisms involve frontal lobe dysfunction, altered noradrenergic and glutamatergic signalling and heightened sensitivity to environmental stressors. Management demands a personalised, stepped approach that balances non-pharmacological measures—such as structured activities, environmental modification and sensory therapies—with judicious pharmacotherapy. Antipsychotics and certain antidepressants may offer short-term relief, though their use is limited by safety concerns and modest efficacy. Emerging strategies explore novel agents targeting specific neurotransmitter systems and innovative delivery platforms. Effective agitation management not only alleviates distressing behaviours but also reduces healthcare utilisation and costs, underscoring its global public-health significance.
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Agitation Management in Alzheimer's Disease publication trend
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Technical terms
Agitation: A behavioural syndrome involving excessive motor activity, emotional distress and potential aggression in dementia patients.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms: Non-cognitive manifestations of dementia, including agitation, apathy, psychosis and mood disturbances.
Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI): A 29-item scale widely used to quantify frequency and severity of agitated behaviours in dementia.
Solid lipid nanoparticles: Biocompatible carriers for controlled delivery of therapeutic agents, enhancing local efficacy and minimising systemic exposure.
References
- Brexpiprazole treatment for agitation in Alzheimer's dementia: A randomized study. Alzheimer's & Dementia (2024).
- Clinical and Market Analysis of NanoBEO: A Public-Worth, Innovative Therapy for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)—Emerging Evidence and Its Implications for a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Decision-Making in National Health Systems. Pharmaceutics (2024).
- Agitation and Dementia: Prevention and Treatment Strategies in Acute and Chronic Conditions. Frontiers in Neurology (2021).
- Dementia-related agitation: a review of non-pharmacological interventions and analysis of risks and benefits of pharmacotherapy. Translational Psychiatry (2017).
- Healthcare resource utilisation and costs of agitation in people with dementia living in care homes in England - The Managing Agitation and Raising QUality of LifE in Dementia (MARQUE) study. PLOS ONE (2019).
About these summaries
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