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Therapeutic strategies for psychosis associated with alzheimer disease

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Current Psychosis & Therapeutics Reports

Abstract

Psychotic disturbances in the context of Alzheimer disease are common and associated with poorer outcomes, decreased quality of life, increased institutionalization, and caregiver distress. Due to the unique nature of psychosis associated with dementia, standard measures of psychotic symptomatology may give an incomplete picture of clinical benefit. It is important to consider the impact of an agent on behavioral dyscontrol, especially agitation and aggression, as well as on psychotic symptoms. Challenges still remain in terms of defining the diagnosis and treatment of psychosis of Alzheimer disease with particular attention to adverse effects, drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, as well as underlying medical comorbidities and polypharmacy. New antipsychotics have replaced old ones as the treatment of choice, based on at least equal efficacy and superior safety and tolerability.

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Porsteinsson, A.P. Therapeutic strategies for psychosis associated with alzheimer disease. Current Psychosis & Therapeutics Reports 2, 116–120 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02629431

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