Management of Agitation and Aggression in Patients with Dementia

Anton Porsteinsson, MD, William B. and Sheila Konar Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neuroscience, and Medicine; Director, Alzheimer's Disease Care, Research and Education Program (AD-CARE), URMC

Agitation in Dementia is a common behavioral disturbance featuring exaggerated motor activity, sometimes with verbal and/or physical aggressiveness that occurs frequently in patients with cognitive decline; incidence is higher in moderate to severe dementia.

Prevalence ranges from 30% to 50% in AD, 30% in dementia with Lewy bodies, 40% in frontotemporal dementia, and 40% in vascular dementia. It adversely impacts cognitive performance, functional status, and patients’ quality of life. It also enhances caregiver distress and is associated with a higher admission rate to assisted living facilities, higher use of medications, long-term hospitalization, and higher mortality.  Accurate diagnosis and treatment is imperative.  We will explore the most recent advances in this space.