Dexmedetomidine for agitation in dementia: Current data and future direction

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Dementia incidence and prevalence are rising, leading to increased behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
• Limited safe and effective treatments exist for BPSD, particularly agitation.
• Dexmedetomidine has shown efficacy in treating agitation associated with delirium and other conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of dexmedetomidine as a safe and effective treatment for BPSD, specifically agitation in dementia.
• To review existing literature on dexmedetomidine use for dementia-related agitation.

Main Methods:

• Searched PubMed, Cochrane Database, and Ovid for studies on dexmedetomidine and dementia.
• Included English language human studies regardless of study type.
• Focused on reports detailing dexmedetomidine for dementia.

Main Results:

• No completed studies were identified that investigated dexmedetomidine for agitation in dementia.
• The TRANQUILITY study, evaluating dexmedetomidine for dementia agitation, is currently in progress.

Conclusions:

• Dexmedetomidine has demonstrated benefits for hospital delirium and agitation in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
• There is a lack of published completed studies on dexmedetomidine for agitation in dementia.
• Larger, controlled studies are required to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and optimal administration of dexmedetomidine for BPSD.