Management of behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia : NICE guidelines and evidence-based decision-making

Abstract

Dementia is an age-related progressive syndrome that often presents with psychiatric symptoms such as hallucinations, aggression and agitation. The management of such symptoms in dementia is particularly important when it puts the patients themselves and their carers at risk. The NICE guidance for pharmacologically managing psychiatric symptoms in dementia and the evidence base is summarised with particular focus on antipsychotic drug use. Alternative approaches to psychiatric symptoms in dementia are briefly discussed as a substitute for antipsychotic use.