Pharmacological treatments of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in Alzheimer's disease: role of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are frequent in Alzheimer's disease (AD). They are associated with disability and suffering for both the patients and their caregivers. Even if BPSD are now well diagnosed and characterized by standardized tools, their treatment remains often challenging in clinical setting because of the frequent and severe side effects of the psychotropic drugs when used in this indication. Evidence-based data confirm that antipsychotics and antidepressants are efficient for the treatment of BPSD but have a poor tolerance profile and their use is problematic. Use of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, whom French authorities have questioned the relevance in 2008, also have a significant efficacy on non-cognitive symptoms of AD. Therefore, and although their tolerance profile is considered unsatisfying, they keep an indication in patients with AD and BPSD.