Underlying mechanisms of psychosis and aggression in patients with Alzheimer's disease

J Clin Psychiatry. 2001:62 Suppl 21:23-5.

Abstract

It is well known that serotonergic function is related to aggression. Patients with Alzheimer's disease exhibit aggressive behavior, and alterations in their serotonergic function have been identified. Recent clinical trials involving new antipsychotic agents, such as risperidone, which has both serotonergic and dopaminergic activity, have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of these drugs in treating the psychosis and aggressive behavior associated with dementia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aggression / drug effects
  • Aggression / physiology*
  • Aggression / psychology
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Placebos
  • Psychotic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Psychotic Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Psychotic Disorders / psychology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology
  • Risperidone / adverse effects
  • Risperidone / pharmacology
  • Risperidone / therapeutic use
  • Serotonin / physiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Placebos
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin
  • Risperidone