Psychiatr News August 4, 2006
Volume 41, Number 15, page 6
© 2006 American Psychiatric Association
Principles for Treating Dementia
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry's position statement on
principles of care for patients with dementia associated with Alzheimer's
disease is organized around five key therapeutic areas:
- Disease therapies for Alzheimer's, targeted specifically at aspects of
the current pathophysiological understanding of the disease: This section
addresses amyloid deposition, postmenopausal loss of estrogen, inflammatory
response, oxidative free radicals, brain vascular disease, high cholesterol,
and glutamate excitoxicity.
- Symptomatic therapies for cognitive symptoms: This section discusses
the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in treating mild to moderate
Alzheimer's.
- Symptomatic therapies for other neuropsychiatric symptoms: This
section addresses neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, aggression, and
delusions and nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions to manage
them.
- Provision of and interventions for supportive care to patients: This
section covers issues to be addressed with patients, including safety,
day-to-day living structure, general medical health monitoring, and advanced
care planning.
- Provision of and interventions for supportive care to caregivers:
This section covers issues to be addressed with caregivers, including
education about Alzheimer's, problem-solving skills, resource assessment,
long-range planning, emotional support, and respite.
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