Treating the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: A case based approach

INTRODUCTION It is estimated that about 90% of older adults with dementia experience neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms include but are not limited to agitation, aggression, delusions, and hallucinations. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are often treated with antipsychotics. However, the use of antipsychotics in the dementia population is associated with an increased risk of death, mostly due to cerebrovascular events. All antipsychotic medications (both first generation and second generation) have a Black Box Warning for increased mortality in elderly patients with dementiarelated psychosis.