Neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia (NPS) include a group of noncognitive symptoms
and behaviors that are seen in over 90% of individuals with dementia during the course
of the illness.
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NPS are unsafe, disruptive, and impair the care of the individual with dementia.
Apathy is the most common NPS in Alzheimer's disease (AD), depression is the most
common NPS in vascular dementia (VaD), anxiety is the most common NPS in dementia
with Lewy bodies (DLB), and agitation and aggression are the most common NPS among
individuals with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). NPS is associated with a faster progression
of the illness and greater morbidity and mortality rates among individuals with dementia.
Additionally, the presence of NPS significantly increases the caregiver burden and
the overall cost of caring for individuals with dementia. The neurobiology of NPS
indicates a complex interplay between biological, genetic, psychological, social,
and environmental factors.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
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Ginters M, Talaslahti T, Palm A, et al: Criminal behavior after diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder: A nationwide Finnish register study. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry (In Press).
Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 23, 2023
Accepted:
February 20,
2023
Received:
February 19,
2023
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
