Serotonergic drugs for the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia

ABSTRACT

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (known also as neuropsychiatric symptoms) are essential features of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The near universal presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia (up to 90% of cases) has brought significant attention of clinicians and experts to the field. Non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions are recommended for various types of neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, most pharmacological interventions for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are used off-label in many countries. Cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric symptoms can be linked to alterations in multiple neurotransmitter systems, so modification of abnormalities in specific systems may improve clinical status of patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms. Use of serotonergic compounds (novel particles acting on specific receptors and widely acting drugs) in the treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms is reviewed.

KEY WORDS:

• 5-hydroxytryptamine
• serotonin
• neuropsychiatric symptoms
• behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• dementia

Financial and competing interests disclosure

Publication supported within the framework of Healthy Ageing Research Centre (REGPOT-2012-2013-1, 7FP). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.