Alternative pharmacological treatment options for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease


Submitted: 28 July 2015
Accepted: 12 October 2015
Published: 24 November 2015
Abstract Views: 4550
PDF: 1824
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Authors

  • Francesco Panza Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari; Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico, Tricase (LE), Italy.
  • Vincenzo Solfrizzi Geriatric Medicine-Memory Unit and Rare Disease Centre, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
  • Bruno P. Imbimbo Research & Development Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Parma, Italy.
  • Andrea Santamato Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Section, University Hospital of Foggia, Foggia, Italy.
  • Madia Lozupone Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
  • Giancarlo Logroscino Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari; Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico, Tricase (LE), Italy.
In patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) is a major concern in the management of these devastating diseases. Among NPS in AD, agitation and aggression are common with earlier institutionalization, increased morbidity and mortality, and greater caregiver burden. Pharmacological treatments for AD-related agitation, specifically off-label use of atypical antipsychotics, showed only modest improvements, with increased side-effect burden and risk of mortality. Non-pharmacological treatment approaches have become the preferred firstline option. However, when such treatments fail, pharmacological options are often used. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify effective and safe pharmacological treatments for agitation/aggression in AD and dementia. Unfortunately, progresses have been slow, with a small number of methodologically heterogeneous randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with disappointing results. However, evidence coming from recently completed RCTs on novel or repositioned drugs (mibampator, dextromethorphan/ quinidine, cannabinoids, and citalopram) showed some promise in treating agitation in AD, but still with safety concerns. Further evidence will come from ongoing Phase II and III trials on promising novel drugs for treating these distressing symptoms in patients with AD and dementia.

Panza, F., Solfrizzi, V., Imbimbo, B. P., Santamato, A., Lozupone, M., & Logroscino, G. (2015). Alternative pharmacological treatment options for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease. Geriatric Care, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/gc.2015.5460

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