Alzheimer's - Dementia, Author Interviews, CMAJ, Pharmacology / 26.11.2018
Aggression in Dementia: Alternatives to Antipsychotics Also Have Side Effects
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Jennifer Watt, PhD
Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research
Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation
University of Toronto
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (e.g. aggression, agitation) are common among persons living with dementia.
Pharmacological (e.g. antipsychotics) and non-pharmacological (e.g. reminiscence therapy) interventions are often used to alleviate these symptoms. However, antipsychotics are associated with significant harm among older adults with dementia (e.g. death, stroke). Regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada issued black box warnings to advise patients and clinicians of this potential for harm. And initiatives were championed to decrease the use of antipsychotics in persons living with dementia.
In response, we have seen a rise in the use of other pharmacological interventions, such as trazodone (an antidepressant). Its potential to cause harm in older adults with dementia is largely unknown. (more…)