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Published on: April 4, 2025
Buspirone in Alzheimer's disease.
Abhilash K Desai1, George T Grossberg
1Saint Louis University School of Medicine, 808 Delta Pine Lane, Sikeston, MO 63801, USA. zachary@sbmu.net
Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics
|October 9, 2009
Summary
Anxiety is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can worsen symptoms. Buspirone shows promise as a non-sedating treatment for anxiety and agitation in AD patients, but more research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Anxiety symptoms affect most Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.
- Anxiety can exacerbate agitation, aggression, and caregiver distress in AD.
- Benzodiazepines are often used but carry significant risks for AD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore potential treatments for anxiety and agitation in Alzheimer's disease.
- To evaluate buspirone as a non-sedating alternative for managing anxiety symptoms in AD.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on anxiety in AD.
- Analysis of preliminary evidence regarding buspirone's efficacy and tolerability.
- Discussion of serotonergic pathways in AD-related anxiety.
Main Results:
- Anxiety and agitation are significant issues in AD, leading to morbidity and institutionalization.
- Buspirone is suggested as a potentially effective, non-sedating option.
- Reported effective doses range from 15-60 mg/day and are generally well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
- Buspirone may be a beneficial alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety and agitation in AD.
- Further large, randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm buspirone's efficacy in AD.
- Investigating buspirone could lead to improved management of behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer's disease.
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