Effect of carbamazepine on agitation and emotional lability associated with severe dementia.

In an open prospective study, the stabilizing effects of carbamazepine on agitation, impulsivity and affective lability were investigated in 15 severely demented patients, who had failed to respond to prior neuroleptic medication. Because of leukopenia and allergic reactions in two subjects, carbamazepine treatment was discontinued. In nine patients a clinically relevant improvement was observed.