Advances in Management of Neuropsychiatric Syndromes in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-8-2019

Publication Title

Current Psychiatry Reports

Volume

21

Issue

79

First page number:

1

Last page number:

14

Abstract

Purpose of Review Neuropsychiatric syndromes (NPS) are common in neurodegenerative disorders (NDD). This review describes the role of NPS in the diagnosis of NDD, criteria for the diagnosis of NPS, management of NPS, and agents in clinical trials for NPS. Recent Findings NPS play an increasingly important role in the diagnosis of NDD. Consensus diagnostic criteria have evolved for psychosis, depression, agitation, and apathy in NDD. With one exception—pimavanserin is approved for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions in Parkinson’s disease—there are no drugs approved by the FDA for treatment of NPS in NDD. Trials show that atypical antipsychotics reduce psychosis in AD and in Parkinson’s disease, although side effect concerns have constrained their use. Antidepressants show benefit in treatment of Parkinson’s disease with depression. Several agents are in clinical trials for treatment of NPS in NDD. Summary Neuropsychiatric syndromes play a major role in NDD diagnosis. Clinical criteria allow recognition of NPS in NDD. Psychotropic medications are often useful in the treatment of NPS in NDD; efficacious, safe, and approved agents are needed.

Keywords

Neurodegenerative disorders; Neuropsychiatric syndromes; Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson's disease; Depression; Psychosis; Apathy; Agitation

Disciplines

Neurosciences | Psychiatry

Language

English

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