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Divalproex: a possible treatment alternative for demented, elderly aggressive patients
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Kentucky, USA.
Summary
Divalproex medication improved emotional control and reduced disruptive behavior in elderly patients with dementia. This safe and well-tolerated treatment offers a potential therapy for aggression in this population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Psychopharmacology
- Neurology
Background:
- Behavioral dyscontrol is common in elderly individuals with dementia.
- Effective and safe pharmacotherapies are needed for managing behavioral disturbances in this demographic.
Observation:
- A study observed twelve elderly patients with dementia experiencing behavioral dyscontrol.
- These patients were treated with divalproex, a medication known for its mood-stabilizing properties.
Findings:
- All twelve patients showed significant improvement in emotional control after divalproex treatment.
- Patients exhibited reduced verbal and physical disruptiveness and improved social appropriateness.
- Divalproex was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse medicinal side effects reported in this elderly cohort.
Implications:
- Divalproex demonstrates potential as a safe and effective pharmacotherapy for managing aggressivity and behavioral dyscontrol in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment.
- Further controlled studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary findings and establish divalproex as a standard treatment option.