Therapeutic strategies for behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) in demented patients

Abstract

In the context of the diseases characterized by cognitive impairment, the appearance of behavioral modifications is frequently observed, in particular agitation and/or aggression. In dementia, cognitive symptoms are often associated with psychiatric symptoms, such as personality, mood, behavioral and "psychotic" disorders, at present defined as behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), representing the main cause of hospitalization for these patients. Among the different pharmacological classes, justified by the complex genesis of BPSD, the choice of a specific treatment is mainly related with the safety of different molecules, among which atypical antipsychotics are the first choice class.