[Therapy of psychological and behavioral symptoms in dementia]

Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) represent a severe burden for patients and caregivers. The causes are disease-related neurobiological changes which increase the vulnerability to respond to external triggers with BPSD. Consequently, external factors (e.g. communication, milieu) are the primary target for treatment and also prevention of BPSD. Psychosocial interventions with the focus on the patient or on the caregivers are the core elements of BPSD therapy. If psychosocial interventions are not efficacious or only insufficiently applicable, pharmacological treatment may need to be initiated. Pharmacological treatment of BPSD has been less intensely investigated as treatment of cognition and function in dementia. However, recommendations can be given. This review follows the S3 guidelines on dementia published by the German Societies for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (DGPPN) and Neurology (DGN) which address BPSD extensively.