[Impact of treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, valproic acid and antipsychotics on aggressive behaviour in Alzheimer's type dementia].

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Aggressive and impulsive behaviour are common in Alzheimer's dementia. Therapy of these disorders is an important but difficult practical question.

AIM:

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pharmacological treatment of aggressive behaviour, while taking into account the dynamics of disease progression during observation. In the assessment of treatment acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (IAChE), valproic acid (VA), and antipsychotics were considered.

METHOD:

The study was based on a two-year naturalistic observation of nursing homes' residents with a diagnosis of possible Alzheimer's disease (NINCDS/ADRDA criteria) in its mild and moderate stage (at least 12 points in MMSE). Aggressive behaviour was measured by Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), and the severity of dementia by ADAS--Cog. Examination was performed twice: at baseline (0) and after two years of observation (2). All treatment administered during this time has been taken into account. 71 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease were enrolled to the observation. The average age was 77.10 (SD = 8.39), the level of cognitive impairment by ADAS--Cog = 20.40 points (SD = 5.24). The second examination was conducted in 43 individuals.

RESULTS:

In the group treated with IAChE there was a lesser increase of aggressive and impulsive behaviour in comparison to other persons. The differences between the examination (2) and (0) for the CMAI global scale were, respectively, 2.76 and 9.09 points. Similar results were obtained for subjects treated with VA (1.0 and 8.65). Antipsychotic drugs revealed a similar correlation (3.0 and 8.65), but this has not proven statistically relevant, while in the group treated with antipsychotics a significantly greater progression of dementia was observed.

CONCLUSION:

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors may have beneficial effects on aggressive behaviour in the course of Alzheimer's Disease, similar to that seen with the use of valproic acid and antipsychotics.

• Authors: Leszek Bidzan, Jakub Grabowski, Beata Dutczak, Mariola Bidzan
• Journal: Psychiatria polska (Psychiatr Pol) 2012 May-Jun Vol. 46 Issue 3 Pg. 361-72 ISSN: 0033-2674 [Print] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Wpływ farmakoterapii inhibitorami acetylocholinesterazy, kwasem walproinowym i lekami przeciwpsychotycznymi na zachowania agresywne w przebiegu otepienia typu Alzheimera.
• PMID: 23045890 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• Cholinergic Agents
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors
• Valproic Acid

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aggression (drug effects)
• Alzheimer Disease (complications, drug therapy)
• Antipsychotic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cholinergic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Disease Progression
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Female
• Humans
• Impulsive Behavior (drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Poland
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Valproic Acid (therapeutic use)