Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Dementia-Related Psychosis

Abstract

​​ Along with cognitive decline, 90% of patients with dementia experience behavioral and psychological symptoms, such as psychosis, aggression, agitation, and depression. Dementia-related psychosis (DRP), which includes delusions and hallucinations, contributes to institutionalization, cognitive decline, and caregiver burden. Delusions and hallucinations tend to increase with the duration and severity of the disease, but there are also individual fluctuations. While a variety of symptoms can occur in all types of dementia, visual hallucinations are particularly common in the Lewy body dementias (dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson disease dementia). Mechanisms behind DRP are multifactorial, including different neurobiological factors as well as environmental, social, and psychological factors. This report examines the frequency, symptoms, and pathophysiology of DRP and communication about psychotic symptoms with patients with dementia (if possible) and their care partners.