Anticonvulsants for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: a literature review
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Objective To review and summarize the currently available data on the use of anticonvulsant mood stabilizers (carbamazepine, valproic acid, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate) in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD); to determine whether these medications can be recommended for routine clinical use. Methods Literature search in five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO and COCHRANE collaboration) and analysis of the randomized controlled double-blinded clinical trials found therein. Results A total of seven RCTs were identified (two for carbamazepine and five for valproate). One study showed statistically significant improvement of BPSD in the medication group in comparison to the placebo group; five studies showed no significant differences; one study showed statistically significant worsening of the symptoms in the medication group vs. placebo. The majority of the studies reported significantly more frequent adverse effects in the medication group. Conclusion Although clearly beneficial in some patients, anticonvulsant mood stabilizers cannot be recommended for routine use in the treatment of BPSD at the present time.
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Studies of valproic acid and derivatives have not shown treatment benefits for patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
“Studies of valproic acid and derivatives have not shown treatment benefits for patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.142”
From Assessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (2015) · cites this paper as [142]
Cites
Efficacy and Tolerability of Carbamazepine for Agitation and Aggression in Dementia
Tariot, P. N., Erb, R., Podgorski, C. A., Cox, C., Patel, S., Jakimovich, L., & Irvine, C. (1998) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.155.1.54 · Cited by 422 · see citing works
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Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Cerejeira, J., Lagarto, L., & Mukaetova-Ladinska, E. B. (2012) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2012.00073 · Cited by 1,425 · see citing works
Assessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Kales, H. C., Gitlin, L. N., & Lyketsos, C. G. (2015) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.h369 · Cited by 1,247 · see citing works
Management of agitation and aggression associated with Alzheimer disease
Ballard, C. G., Gauthier, S., Cummings, J. L., Brodaty, H., Grossberg, G. T., Robert, P., & Lyketsos, C. G. (2009) · Nature Reviews Neurology · doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2009.39 · Cited by 404 · see citing works
Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in People with Dementia
Ballard, C., & Corbett, A. (2010) · CNS Drugs · doi:10.2165/11319240-000000000-00000 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Dols, A., Sienaert, P., van Gerven, H., Schouws, S., Stevens, A., Kupka, R., & Stek, M. L. (2013) · International Clinical Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1097/yic.0b013e32836435e2 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Use of Low-Dose Gabapentin for Aggressive Behavior in Vascular and Mixed Vascular/Alzheimer Dementia
Cooney, C., Murphy, S., Tessema, H., & Freyne, A. (2013) · The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences · doi:10.1176/appi.neuropsych.12050115 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
- Authors
- Konovalov, S., Muralee, S., & Tampi, R. R.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Tampi, Rajesh R.
- ORCID
- Tampi, Rajesh R.
- Venue
- International Psychogeriatrics
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-04
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 293-308
- ISSN
- 1041-6102 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2169929517
- Cited by
- 126
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 1.03
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Psychogeriatrics (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Keywords
- anticonvulsant mood stabilizers, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, carbamazepine, valproic acid, gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, adverse drug reactions, dementia treatment
- MeSH terms
- Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, Aggression, Amines, Anticonvulsants, Carbamazepine, Cognition Disorders, Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids, Dementia, gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Humans, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychomotor Disorders, Triazines, Valproic Acid
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