Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common
in people with Alzheimer`s Disease. They include agitation, aggression, psychosis,
depression and sleep disturbance, and can cause great distress for the individual and
their caregivers. Management of BPSD is particularly challenging due to the lack of
effective pharmacological treatments, and current clinical guidance is complex. This
chapter outlines the causes and impacts of BPSD in people with AD. In particular it
explores the evidence supporting the use of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological
treatments and the role they play in the prevention and treatment of
BPSD.
Keywords: Agitation, aggression, Alzheimer`s disease, antipsychotic,
behavioural, depression, non-pharmacological, psychosis, sleep, treatment.
