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Behavioural changes and psychological symptoms in dementia disorders
Ian McKeith1, Jeffrey Cummings
1Institute for Ageing and Health, Wolfson Research Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. i.g.mckeith@ncl.ac.uk
The Lancet. Neurology
|October 22, 2005
Summary
Behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia are crucial for diagnosis and patient well-being, not just cognitive decline. Further research is needed for better detection and effective treatments beyond medication.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Traditionally, dementia diagnosis and management focused on cognitive decline and functional disability.
- Behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPS) were considered secondary.
- Emerging evidence highlights the significance of BPS in dementia care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the importance of BPS in dementia.
- To emphasize the role of BPS in diagnosis, patient distress, and carer burden.
- To advocate for improved methods for detecting and measuring BPS.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of dementia diagnosis and management.
- Analysis of the impact of BPS on patient outcomes and carer experiences.
- Discussion of limitations in current BPS assessment and treatment.
Main Results:
- BPS significantly influence patient distress, carer burden, and overall dementia outcomes.
- BPS can serve as critical diagnostic indicators for underlying pathologies.
- Current pharmacological treatments for BPS have limited efficacy and potential side effects.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral and psychological symptoms are primary, not secondary, factors in dementia.
- Development of better detection and measurement tools for BPS is essential.
- Understanding pathophysiological mechanisms is key to developing effective BPS treatments.