Psychopharmacology of noncognitive abnormal behaviors in Alzheimer's disease.

Disruptive agitation and psychotic symptoms are important problems in the management of Alzheimer's disease and are major determinants of nursing home placement. This article reviews interpretable, placebo-controlled studies of psychopharmacologic approaches to the treatment of these "noncognitive" psychiatric and behavioral problems. Clinical trials of antipsychotic drugs demonstrate modest efficacy for psychosis and agitation, but adverse effects are common. Trials of serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors suggest they may be effective for emotional disturbances complicating Alzheimer's disease. Trials of drugs that enhance central cholinergic activity (certain cholinesterase inhibitors and selective M1 muscarinic cholinergic agonists) demonstrate positive effects on both cognitive deficits and noncognitive psychiatric and behavioral problems. Further clinical studies are needed to provide guidelines for the management of noncognitive psychiatric and behavioral problems in Alzheimer's disease.