Antidepressants for treating depression in dementia

Prevalence of Drugs and Drug Combinations that Increase Risk of Prolonged QT Time Among People with Major Neurocognitive Disorder Living in Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Registry Study

BACKGROUND

People with major neurocognitive disorder might be susceptible to drug-induced QT interval prolongation due to the presence of a number of concomitant risk factors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of QT-prolonging drugs and QT-prolonging drug-drug interactions and associated factors among older people with major neurocognitive disorder.

METHODS

In this register-based study, we obtained information regarding QT-prolonging drug use in a large population of older people with major neurocognitive disorder, through record linkage between the Swedish registry for cognitive/dementia disorders, and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. QT-prolonging drugs were identified according to the CredibleMeds online database and interactions using the Janusmed interaction database. Drug use was defined as one or more filled prescriptions during a 6-month timeframe, July 01 to December 31, 2017. Associations between people with a QT-prolonging drug and the factors of age and gender were analysed through multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 35,212 people included in the study, 41.6% had one or more QT-prolonging drug prescribed. The most commonly prescribed drug was donepezil, with a prevalence of 25.0%, followed by citalopram and escitalopram, representing 14.5% and 3.9% of prescriptions in the study population, respectively. Significant associations were found between QT-prolonging drug use and the factors of younger age and female gender. The most prevalent interaction was between citalopram and donepezil (2.7%), followed by the combination of escitalopram and donepezil (0.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this population of older people with major neurocognitive disorder, QT-prolonging drugs and interactions that increase the risk of torsade de pointes were prevalent. Due to the presence of many risk factors in this population, it is important to continuously evaluate current QT-prolonging drugs and concomitant drug treatment in each individual.

Overview of therapeutic targets in management of dementia

Dementia is defined as a gradual cognitive impairment that interferes with everyday tasks, and is a leading cause of dependency, disability, and mortality. According to the current scenario, millions of individuals worldwide have dementia. This review provides with an overview of dementia before moving on to its subtypes (neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative) and pathophysiology. It also discusses the incidence and severity of dementia, focusing on Alzheimer's disease with its different hypotheses such as Aβ cascade hypothesis, Tau hypothesis, inflammatory hypothesis, cholinergic and oxidative stress hypothesis. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type and a progressive neurodegenerative illness distinct by neuronal loss and resulting cognitive impairment, leading to dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered the most familiar neurodegenerative dementias that affect mostly older population. There are still no disease-modifying therapies available for any dementias at this time, but there are various methods for lowering the risk to dementia patients by using suitable diagnostic and evaluation methods. Thereafter, the management and treatment of primary risk elements of dementia are reviewed. Finally, the future perspectives of dementia (AD) focusing on the impact of the new treatment are discussed.

The Neuroinflammasome in Alzheimer's Disease and Cerebral Stroke

Aim/Background

This review investigated a patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) treated with 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) as a neuroinflammasome competitor.

Methods

We monitored AD's progression through numeric clinical staging (NCS) with a new biomarker. NCS was determined by the presence of AD symptoms and neuropsychiatric (NP) symptoms caused by anti-AD (AAD) drugs (D) as a biomarker. We also monitored the function of DDS for stroke in a no-intake emergency state.

Results

By introducing (D), AD's progression was monitored through NCS staging. AAD side effects and neuropsychiatric symptoms were identified. DDS was stopped in patients with stroke with NCS 6 caused by AAD, and it rapidly proceeded to cerebral infarct.

Conclusions

AAD can occasionally exacerbate AD and stroke. DDS can alleviate mild cognitive impairment (MCI), early AD and stroke. We clinically confirmed the role of DDS as a neuroinflammasome competitor after stroke. DDS preserved neuronal survival within 24–55 h in the Seoul Study cohort.

The Behavioral Effects of Combination Therapy of Memantine and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors Compared with Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors Alone in Patients with Moderate Alzheimer's Dementia: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate treatment effects of combination therapy of memantine and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs) compared with AchEIs alone on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with moderate Alzheimer's dementia (AD).

METHODS

This was a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 148 patients with moderate AD participated in this study. Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change plus caregiver input, Gottfries-Bråne-Steen Scale, and Zarit Burden Interview were used as assessment scales.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, sex, or education between AChEIs alone and combination groups. The combination group showed significantly more improvement of NPI-disinhibition score (0.76±2.15) than the AChEIs alone group (-0.14±1.71) after 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the combination therapy of memantine and AchEIs might be a beneficial option for reducing disinhibition symptoms of patients with moderate AD compared with AchEIs alone. We believe that clinicians need to consider additional memantine treatment when patients with moderate AD complain disinhibition symptom. A larger clinical trial is needed to further determine the efficacy and advantages of such combination therapy of memantine and AchEIs for treating BPSD of patients with moderate AD.

Psychotropic drug use in community-dwelling people with young-onset dementia: two-year course and determinants

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the course of psychotropic drug use in people with young-onset dementia and to explore possible associations with age, sex, dementia severity, dementia subtype and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

METHODS

Psychotropic drug use was studied in 198 community-dwelling persons participating in the Needs in Young-onset Dementia study. Data about psychotropic drug use were retrieved at baseline, as well as at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months and was classified into five groups (antiepileptics, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, hypnotics/sedatives and antidepressants) and quantified as 'present' or 'absent'. Generalized Estimating Equation modeling and chi-square tests were used to study associations between the determinants and psychotropic drug use.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of psychotropic drug use from 52.3% to 62.6% during the course of the study. Almost three-quarters (72.4%) of the participants were treated with any psychotropic drug during the study, and more than one-third (37.4%) received psychotropic drugs continuously. Antipsychotics were used continuously in more than 10% of the participants and antidepressants in more than 25%. Increasing age was positively associated (p = .018) with psychotropic drug use at baseline, while apathy symptoms were negatively associated (p = .018).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the recommendations of various guidelines, the prolonged use of psychotropic drugs in community-dwelling people with young-onset dementia is high. Therefore, more attention is needed to timely evaluate psychotropic drug use and the introduction of self-management programs for caregivers should be encouraged to support caregivers in dealing with the neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by the dementia.

Anticonvulsants for behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia: protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are present in a majority of patients with dementia contributing to increased morbidity, health care costs, and caregiver burden. While there are no United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for these symptoms, off-label use of medications such as antipsychotics have been shown to have significant adverse effects including increased mortality. The goal of this review is to examine the efficacy and safety of anticonvulsants in the treatment of BPSD.

METHODS

We will systematically search for randomized trials of anticonvulsants compared to placebo or other treatments such as antidepressants and antipsychotics from the following sources: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (OVID SP) in Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations (latest version), EMBASE, clinicalTrials.gov , and the WHO Clinical Trials Registry. The studies will be limited to those published in English but the study location can be worldwide. We will include studies pertaining to individuals with dementia and symptoms of BPSD. The primary outcomes will be behavioral change as measured by validated scales and secondary outcomes will include caregiver burden, quality of life, placement in long term care facility, serious adverse effects, and treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects. Two sets of reviewers will independently screen select and extract data. We will narratively describe the major findings and conclusions from individual studies. Patients who are prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for other indications, including seizures, will be excluded. Outcomes of interest will include a change in a validated scale that measures BPSD, serious adverse events, and caregiver quality of life outcomes. If the data are found to be appropriate for a meta-analysis, we will use a random effects model to compute summary estimates of treatment effects.

DISCUSSION

This is a protocol for a systematic review addressing the anticonvulsant group of medications as a whole, and as such, our results will inform current clinical practice in the use of anticonvulsants for BPSD. It will also help clinicians and policy makers compare the efficacy of anticonvulsants compared to antidepressants and antipsychotics as well as identify areas which will need further study.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42017079826.

[Psychotherapy with mild cognitive impairment and dementia]

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence for psychotherapy (PT) in elderly patients, it is not standard care in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Although neuropsychiatric symptoms are frequent in these patients, there is a lack of studies investigating the importance and efficiency of PT.

OBJECTIVE

Can patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia benefit from PT? If so, which modifications of therapeutic strategies are necessary for treating elderly patients with mild cognitive impairments?

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Evaluation of empirical evidence on the efficiency of PT for patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Presentation of interventions and modifications of therapeutic strategies.

RESULTS

Empirical evidence points towards beneficial effects of PT on depressive symptoms and quality of life. The treatment of anxiety disorders has so far been broadly neglected. Modifications of therapeutic strategies include simplification of content, repetitions, implementation of external memory aids and inclusion of caregivers into therapeutic process.

CONCLUSION

Psychotherapy can be effective in patients with mild cognitive impairment and early stages of dementia. When practicing PT, an adaptation of therapeutic strategies is necessary. Nevertheless, there is a need for further studies investigating the benefits and implementation of PT into standard care, especially as pharmacological interventions are very limited in their efficiency and tolerability in this patient population.

Antidepressants for treating depression in dementia

BACKGROUND

The use of antidepressants in dementia accompanied by depressive symptoms is widespread, but their clinical efficacy is uncertain. This review updates an earlier version, first published in 2002.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy and safety of any type of antidepressant for patients who have been diagnosed as having dementia of any type and depression as defined by recognised criteria.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched ALOIS, the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialised Register, on 16 August 2017. ALOIS contains information on trials retrieved from databases and from a number of trial registers and grey literature sources.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all relevant double-blind, randomised trials comparing any antidepressant drug with placebo, for patients diagnosed as having dementia and depression.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors selected studies for inclusion and extracted data independently. We assessed risk of bias in the included studies using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool. Where clinically appropriate, we pooled data for treatment periods up to three months and from three to nine months. We used GRADE methods to assess the overall quality of the evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included ten studies with a total of 1592 patients. Eight included studies reported sufficiently detailed results to enter into analyses related to antidepressant efficacy. We split one study which included two different antidepressants and therefore had nine groups of patients treated with antidepressants compared with nine groups receiving placebo treatment. Information needed to make 'Risk of bias' judgements was often missing.We found high-quality evidence of little or no difference in scores on depression symptom rating scales between the antidepressant and placebo treated groups after 6 to 13 weeks (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.26 to 0.06; 614 participants; 8 studies). There was probably also little or no difference between groups after six to nine months (mean difference (MD) 0.59 point, 95% CI -1.12 to 2.3, 357 participants; 2 studies; moderate-quality evidence). The evidence on response rates at 12 weeks was of low quality, and imprecision in the result meant we were uncertain of any effect of antidepressants (antidepressant: 49.1%, placebo: 37.7%; odds ratio (OR) 1.71, 95% CI 0.80 to 3.67; 116 participants; 3 studies). However, the remission rate was probably higher in the antidepressant group than the placebo group (antidepressant: 40%, placebo: 21.7%; OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.44 to 4.59; 240 participants; 4 studies; moderate-quality evidence). The largest of these studies continued for another 12 weeks, but because of imprecision of the result we could not be sure of any effect of antidepressants on remission rates after 24 weeks. There was evidence of no effect of antidepressants on performance of activities of daily living at weeks 6 to 13 (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.25; 173 participants; 4 studies; high-quality evidence) and probably also little or no effect on cognition (MD 0.33 point on the Mini-Mental State Examination, 95% CI -1.31 to 1.96; 194 participants; 6 studies; moderate-quality evidence).Participants on antidepressants were probably more likely to drop out of treatment than those on placebo over 6 to 13 weeks (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.14; 836 participants; 9 studies). The meta-analysis of the number of participants suffering at least one adverse event showed a significant difference in favour of placebo (antidepressant: 49.2%, placebo: 38.4%; OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.98, 1073 participants; 3 studies), as did the analyses for participants suffering one event of dry mouth (antidepressant: 19.6%, placebo: 13.3%; OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.63, 1044 participants; 5 studies), and one event of dizziness (antidepressant: 19.2%, placebo: 12.5%; OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.98, 1044 participants; 5 studies). Heterogeneity in the way adverse events were reported in studies presented a major difficulty for meta-analysis, but there was some evidence that antidepressant treatment causes more adverse effects than placebo treatment does.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The available evidence is of variable quality and does not provide strong support for the efficacy of antidepressants for treating depression in dementia, especially beyond 12 weeks. On the only measure of efficacy for which we had high-quality evidence (depression rating scale scores), antidepressants showed little or no effect. The evidence on remission rates favoured antidepressants but was of moderate quality, so future research may find a different result. There was insufficient evidence to draw conclusions about individual antidepressant drugs or about subtypes of dementia or depression. There is some evidence that antidepressant treatment may cause adverse events.

Efficacy of Antidepressants for Depression in Alzheimer's Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Depression is common in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affecting overall outcomes and decreasing quality of life. Although depression in AD is primarily treated with antidepressants, there are few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing efficacy and results have been conflicting.

Objectives: To systematically review evidence on efficacy of antidepressant treatments for depression in AD.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of double blind RCTs comparing antidepressants versus placebo for depression in AD. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and on line national and international registers. Primary outcomes were treatment response and depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes were cognition, acceptability, and tolerability. Risk of bias was also assessed.

Results: Seven studies met inclusion criteria. Three compared sertraline with placebo; one compared both sertraline and mirtazapine to placebo; imipramine, fluoxetine, and clomipramine were evaluated in one study each. In terms of response to treatment (6 studies, 297 patients treated with antidepressants and 223 with placebo), no statistically significant difference between antidepressants and placebo was found (odds ratio (OR) 1.95, 95% CI 0.97–3.92). We found no significant drug-placebo difference for depressive symptoms (5 studies, 311 patients, SMD –0.13; 95% CI –0.49 to 0.24). Overall quality of the evidence was moderate because of methodological limitations in studies and the small number of trials.

Conclusion: Despite the importance of depression in people with AD, few RCTs are available on efficacy of antidepressants, limiting clear conclusions of their potential role. There is a need for further high quality RCTs.

Management of Depression in Patients with Dementia: Is Pharmacological Treatment Justified?

Depression in the context of dementia is common and contributes to poorer outcomes in individuals and those who care for them. Non-pharmacological treatments are the preferred initial approach to managing these symptoms but data in support of these are scarce. There are a number of pharmacological treatment options available to clinicians but efficacy is uncertain and concern about potential side effects in an aging and vulnerable population needs to be taken into consideration. This review aims to provide a concise overview of pharmacological treatments for depression in dementia. Antidepressants are the mainstay of pharmacological treatment for clinically significant depression in the general population but evidence to support their use in dementia is mixed. Trials of antidepressants should generally be reserved for individuals with depression where the symptoms are distressing and surpass the threshold for major depression. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are effective in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease but current evidence does not support their use to treat depressive symptoms in dementia. Similarly, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers have no proven efficacy for depression and the risk of adverse effects seems to outweigh any potential benefit. Pain can be a frequent problem in dementia and may have significant effects on behavior and mood. Preliminary evidence supports a role of adequate analgesia in improving mood in people with dementia.

Novel 3-(1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole-Based Multifunctional Ligands with Antipsychotic-Like, Mood-Modulating, and Procognitive Activity

The most troublesome aspects of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are nowadays addressed by antidepressant, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic drugs, often administered off-label. Considering their modest effectiveness in dementia patients, the increased risk of adverse events and cognitive decline, there is an unmet need for well-tolerated and effective therapy of BPSD. We designed and synthesized multifunctional ligands characterized in vitro as high-affinity partial agonists of D₂R, antagonists of 5-HT₆R, and blockers of SERT. Moreover, the molecules activated 5-HT_1AR and blocked 5-HT₇R while having no relevant affinity for off-target M₁R and hERG channel. Compound 16 (N-{2-[4-(5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-1-yl]ethyl}-3-methylbenzene-1-sulfonamide) exhibited a broad antipsychotic-, antidepressant-, and anxiolytic-like activity, not eliciting motor impairments in mice. Most importantly, 16 showed memory-enhancing properties and it ameliorated memory deficits induced by scopolamine. The molecule outperformed most important comparators in selected tests, indicating its potential in the treatment of both cognitive and noncognitive (behavioral and psychological) symptoms of dementia.

Challenge Demcare: management of challenging behaviour in dementia at home and in care homes – development, evaluation and implementation of an online individualised intervention for care homes; and a cohort study of specialist community mental health care for families

Background

Dementia with challenging behaviour (CB) causes significant distress for caregivers and the person with dementia. It is associated with breakdown of care at home and disruption in care homes. Challenge Demcare aimed to assist care home staff and mental health practitioners who support families at home to respond effectively to CB.

Objectives

To study the management of CB in care homes (ResCare) and in family care (FamCare). Following a conceptual overview, two systematic reviews and scrutiny of clinical guidelines, we (1) developed and tested a computerised intervention; (2) conducted a cluster randomised trial (CRT) of the intervention for dementia with CB in care homes; (3) conducted a process evaluation of implementation of the intervention; and (4) conducted a longitudinal observational cohort study of the management of people with dementia with CB living at home, and their carers.

Review methods

Cochrane review of randomised controlled trials; systematic meta-ethnographic review of quantitative and qualitative studies.

Design

ResCare – survey, CRT, process evaluation and stakeholder consultations. FamCare – survey, longitudinal cohort study, participatory development design process and stakeholder consultations. Comparative examination of baseline levels of CB in the ResCare trial and the FamCare study participants.

Settings

ResCare – 63 care homes in Yorkshire. FamCare – 33 community mental health teams for older people (CMHTsOP) in seven NHS organisations across England.

Participants

ResCare – 2386 residents and 861 staff screened for eligibility; 555 residents with dementia and CB; 277 ‘other’ residents; 632 care staff; and 92 staff champions. FamCare – every new referral (n = 5360) reviewed for eligibility; 157 patients with dementia and CB, with their carer; and 26 mental health practitioners. Stakeholder consultations – initial workshops with 83 practitioners and managers from participating organisations; and 70 additional stakeholders using eight group discussions and nine individual interviews.

Intervention

An online application for case-specific action plans to reduce CB in dementia, consisting of e-learning and bespoke decision support care home and family care e-tools.

Main outcome measures

ResCare – survey with the Challenging Behaviour Scale; measurement of CB with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and medications taken from prescriptions; implementation with thematic views from participants and stakeholders. FamCare – case identification from all referrals to CMHTsOP; measurement of CB with the Revised Memory and Behaviour Problems Checklist and NPI; medications taken from prescriptions; and thematic views from stakeholders. Costs of care calculated for both settings. Comparison of the ResCare trial and FamCare study participants used the NPI, Clinical Dementia Rating and prescribed medications.

Results

ResCare – training with group discussion and decision support for individualised interventions did not change practice enough to have an impact on CB in dementia. Worksite e-learning opportunities were not readily taken up by care home staff. Smaller homes with a less hierarchical management appear more ready than others to engage in innovation. FamCare – home-dwelling people with dementia and CB are referred to specialist NHS services, but treatment over 6 months, averaging nine contacts per family, had no overall impact on CB. Over 60% of people with CB had mild dementia. Families bear the majority of the care costs of dementia with CB. A care gap in the delivery of post-diagnostic help for families supporting relatives with dementia and significant CB at home has emerged. Higher levels of CB were recorded in family settings; and prescribing practices were suboptimal in both care home and family settings.

Limitations

Functionality of the software was unreliable, resulting in delays. This compromised the feasibility studies and undermined delivery of the intervention in care homes. A planned FamCare CRT could not proceed because of insufficient referrals.

Conclusions

A Cochrane review of individualised functional analysis-based interventions suggests that these show promise, although delivery requires a trained dementia care workforce. Like many staff training interventions, our interactive e-learning course was well received by staff when delivered in groups with facilitated discussion. Our e-learning and decision support e-tool intervention in care homes, in its current form, without ongoing review of implementation of recommended action plans, is not effective at reducing CB when compared with usual care. This may also be true for staff training in general. A shift in priorities from early diagnosis to early recognition of dementia with clinically significant CB could bridge the emerging gap and inequities of care to families. Formalised service improvements in the NHS, to co-ordinate such interventions, may stimulate better opportunities for practice models and pathways. Separate services for care homes and family care may enhance the efficiency of delivery and the quality of research on implementation into routine care.

Future work

There is scope for extending functional analysis-based interventions with communication and interaction training for carers. Our clinical workbooks, video material of real-life episodes of CB and process evaluation tool resources require further testing. There is an urgent need for evaluation of interventions for home-dwelling people with dementia with clinically significant CB, delivered by trained dementia practitioners. Realist evaluation designs may illuminate how the intervention might work, and for whom, within varying service contexts.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN02553381 (the ResCare trial) and ISRCTN58876649 (the FamCare study).

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full inProgramme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 5, No. 15. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

What is the therapeutic value of antidepressants in dementia? A narrative review

OBJECTIVES

Antidepressants are commonly used in dementia. Depression is a frequent and important co-morbidity in dementia, and antidepressants are often used to treat depression and more widely. However, there are questions about their utility in depression in dementia and other behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the evidence on whether there is therapeutic value in prescribing antidepressants to people with dementia.

METHODS

A PubMed search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials that prescribed antidepressants to people with dementia, either in the treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (depression, anxiety, agitation/aggression, psychosis and apathy) or for secondary outcomes (quality of life, carer burden, activities of daily living, cognition, clinical severity and adverse events).

RESULTS

Thirty-six randomized controlled trials were identified (participant n = 3386). A consistent finding in well-designed blinded placebo controlled trials in dementia is the lack of positive effect of antidepressants on outcomes of interest, including depression. One large well-designed study has reported a significant reduction in agitation in people with dementia, but at the expense of clinically significant adverse events. Otherwise, change observed in open trials is also seen in the placebo group, suggesting that any effect is not attributable to the prescription of antidepressants.

CONCLUSIONS

It is striking how few data there are on indications other than depression. We should question the use of antidepressants in dementia. Definitive trials of clinical effectiveness of specific indications such as anxiety and agitation in dementia and discontinuation of antidepressants in dementia are needed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Incidence of antidepressant use in community-dwelling persons with and without Alzheimer's disease: 13-year follow-up

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to investigate the incidence of antidepressant use in persons with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD) from 9 years before to 4 years after AD diagnosis and to examine the incidence of different antidepressant groups.

METHODS

We used register-based data from the Medication use and Alzheimer's disease cohort including all Finnish persons diagnosed with AD in 2005-2011 with their age-matched and gender-matched comparison persons without AD. In this study, 62,104 persons with AD and 62,104 comparison persons were included. Data on dispensed antidepressants during 1995-2012 were collected from the Prescription Register. A 1-year washout period was utilized to measure the rate of new antidepressant users every 6-month period starting from 9 years before and until 4 years after the AD diagnoses. The incidence rate between persons with and without AD was compared with Poisson regression.

RESULTS

The incidence of antidepressant use in persons with AD was higher during the whole study period compared with that in persons without AD. The incidence rate was highest at 6 months after AD diagnosis (incidence rate ratio = 5.22, 95% confidence interval 4.77-5.72). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the most frequently initiated group (61.3% of initiations in persons with AD).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of antidepressant use was higher in persons with AD than in comparison persons, and it was not explained by history of hospital-treated psychiatric disorders. Widespread use of antidepressants in persons with AD is concerning as their efficacy is controversial and their use is associated with adverse events. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Drug Therapy for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia, which can be induced by diverse factors, is a clinical syndrome characterized by the decline of cognitive function. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) include depression, agitation, and aggression. Dementia causes a heavy burden on patients and their caregivers. Patients with BPSD should be assessed comprehensively by practitioners and offered appropriate non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapy. Non-pharmacologic therapy has been recommended as the basal treatment for BPSD; however, pharmacologic therapy is required under many situations. Medications, including antipsychotic agents, antidepressants, sedative and hypnotic agents, mood stabilizers, cholinesterase inhibitors, and amantadine, are extensively used in clinical practice. We have reviewed the progression of pharmacologic therapy for BPSD.

Update on SSRI Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of dementia including agitation, depression, and psychosis are common and debilitating facets of the disease process. Despite the significant impact of these symptoms on both individuals with dementia and their caregivers, safe and effective treatment options are lacking. From a pharmacological approach, antipsychotics have historically been the treatment of choice, but these medications are only modestly effective with significant adverse effects. Behavioral and psychosocial interventions have been shown to be effective but are difficult to implement in routine clinical practice. SSRI medications have been investigated as an alternative psychopharmacological approach based on evidence that the serotoninergic system is involved in the etiology of NPS in dementia. The evidence base for using SSRI medications in the treatment of NPS is growing, but the applicability of research findings to the utility of SSRIs in general in routine clinical practice is not entirely clear at this point. Further studies of a variety of SSRI medications in targeting NPS are needed to make a more definitive assessment of the efficacy of these medications in the relief of NPS.

Leisure activities and depressive symptoms in older adults with cognitive complaints

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms are common in older adults and associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment. Leisure activities are often promoted for individuals with mood symptoms but few studies compare the effects of different types of leisure activities on reducing depressive symptoms.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from participants enrolled from 2008-2009 in the Mental Activity and eXercise (MAX) Trial, which examined the effects of physical plus mental activity over 12 weeks in inactive older adults with cognitive complaints. There were no significant differences between intervention groups on the primary outcome of cognitive function or the secondary outcome of depressive symptoms; therefore, all participants were combined for the current analyses in which we examined changes in leisure activity engagement (Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS)), and changes in depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)) as a function of changes in leisure activity engagement from baseline to post-intervention.

RESULTS

Participants' mean age was 73.0 years, 61.6% were female, and 63.6% were non-Hispanic white. There was a significant change in total hours per week engaged in leisure activities from baseline (36.7 hours, SD = 12.7) to post-intervention (40.4 hours, SD = 15.7; paired t-test p = 0.02), and mean change in depressive symptoms was significantly inversely correlated with change in leisure activity hours such that increases in total leisure activity were associated with decreases in depressive symptoms (r = -0.21, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing the total amount of leisure activity levels may help lower depressive symptoms in inactive older adults with cognitive complaints.

Psychological treatments for depression and anxiety in dementia and mild cognitive impairment: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and depression are common in people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of both pharmacological and psychological therapies.

AIMS

To evaluate the evidence of effectiveness of psychological treatments in treating depression and anxiety in people with dementia and MCI.

METHOD

We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological treatment versus usual care in people with dementia and MCI. Primary outcomes were symptoms of anxiety and depression. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, ability to perform daily activities, neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognition and caregivers' self-rated depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

We included six RCTs, involving 439 participants with dementia, which used cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, counselling or multimodal interventions including a specific psychological therapy. We found beneficial effects for both depression and anxiety. Overall, the quality of the evidence was moderate for depression and low for anxiety, due to the methodological limitations of the studies we identified and the limited number of trials.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence from six RCTs suggests that psychological treatments are effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety for people with dementia. There is a need for high-quality, multicentre trials including standardised, well-defined interventions.

Individual music therapy for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms for people with dementia and their carers: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study

Background

Previous research highlights the importance of staff involvement in psychosocial interventions targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Music therapy has shown potential effects, but it is not clear how this intervention can be programmed to involve care staff within the delivery of patients’ care. This study reports initial feasibility and outcomes from a five month music therapy programme including weekly individual active music therapy for people with dementia and weekly post-therapy video presentations for their carers in care homes.

Methods

17 care home residents and 10 care staff were randomised to the music therapy intervention group or standard care control group. The cluster randomised, controlled trial included baseline, 3-month, 5-month and post-intervention 7-month measures of residents’ symptoms and well-being. Carer-resident interactions were also assessed. Feasibility was based on carers’ feedback through semi-structured interviews, programme evaluations and track records of the study.

Results

The music therapy programme appeared to be a practicable and acceptable intervention for care home residents and staff in managing dementia symptoms. Recruitment and retention data indicated feasibility but also challenges. Preliminary outcomes indicated differences in symptoms (13.42, 95 % CI: [4.78 to 22.07; p = 0.006]) and in levels of wellbeing (−0.74, 95 % CI: [−1.15 to −0.33; p = 0.003]) between the two groups, indicating that residents receiving music therapy improved. Staff in the intervention group reported enhanced caregiving techniques as a result of the programme.

Conclusion

The data supports the value of developing a music therapy programme involving weekly active individual music therapy sessions and music therapist-carer communication. The intervention is feasible with modifications in a more rigorous evaluation of a larger sample size.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01744600.

Individual music therapy for managing neuropsychiatric symptoms for people with dementia and their carers: a cluster randomised controlled feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Previous research highlights the importance of staff involvement in psychosocial interventions targeting neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia. Music therapy has shown potential effects, but it is not clear how this intervention can be programmed to involve care staff within the delivery of patients' care. This study reports initial feasibility and outcomes from a five month music therapy programme including weekly individual active music therapy for people with dementia and weekly post-therapy video presentations for their carers in care homes.

METHODS

17 care home residents and 10 care staff were randomised to the music therapy intervention group or standard care control group. The cluster randomised, controlled trial included baseline, 3-month, 5-month and post-intervention 7-month measures of residents' symptoms and well-being. Carer-resident interactions were also assessed. Feasibility was based on carers' feedback through semi-structured interviews, programme evaluations and track records of the study.

RESULTS

The music therapy programme appeared to be a practicable and acceptable intervention for care home residents and staff in managing dementia symptoms. Recruitment and retention data indicated feasibility but also challenges. Preliminary outcomes indicated differences in symptoms (13.42, 95 % CI: [4.78 to 22.07; p = 0.006]) and in levels of wellbeing (-0.74, 95 % CI: [-1.15 to -0.33; p = 0.003]) between the two groups, indicating that residents receiving music therapy improved. Staff in the intervention group reported enhanced caregiving techniques as a result of the programme.

CONCLUSION

The data supports the value of developing a music therapy programme involving weekly active individual music therapy sessions and music therapist-carer communication. The intervention is feasible with modifications in a more rigorous evaluation of a larger sample size.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT01744600.

Assessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia include agitation, depression, apathy, repetitive questioning, psychosis, aggression, sleep problems, wandering, and a variety of inappropriate behaviors. One or more of these symptoms will affect nearly all people with dementia over the course of their illness. These symptoms are among the most complex, stressful, and costly aspects of care, and they lead to a myriad of poor patient health outcomes, healthcare problems, and income loss for family care givers. The causes include neurobiologically related disease factors; unmet needs; care giver factors; environmental triggers; and interactions of individual, care giver, and environmental factors. The complexity of these symptoms means that there is no "one size fits all solution," and approaches tailored to the patient and the care giver are needed. Non-pharmacologic approaches should be used first line, although several exceptions are discussed. Non-pharmacologic approaches with the strongest evidence base involve family care giver interventions. Regarding pharmacologic treatments, antipsychotics have the strongest evidence base, although the risk to benefit ratio is a concern. An approach to integrating non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments is described. Finally, the paradigm shift needed to fully institute tailored treatments for people and families dealing with these symptoms in the community is discussed.

A practical algorithm for managing Alzheimer's disease: what, when, and why?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and its prevalence is increasing. Recent developments in AD management provide improved ways of supporting patients and their caregivers throughout the disease continuum. Managing cardiovascular risk factors, maintaining an active lifestyle (with regular physical, mental and social activity) and following a Mediterranean diet appear to reduce AD risk and may slow cognitive decline. Pharmacologic therapy for AD should be initiated upon diagnosis. All of the currently available cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs; donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine) are indicated for mild-to-moderate AD. Donepezil (10 and 23 mg/day) and rivastigmine transdermal patch (13.3 mg/24 h) are indicated for moderate-to-severe AD. Memantine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, is approved for moderate-to-severe AD. ChEIs have been shown to improve cognitive function, global clinical status and patients' ability to perform activities of daily living. There is also evidence for reduction in emergence of behavioral symptoms with ChEI therapy. Treatment choice (e.g., oral vs. transdermal) should be based on patient or caregiver preference, ease of use, tolerability, and cost. Treatment should be individualized; patients can be switched from one ChEI to another if the initial agent is poorly tolerated or ineffective. Memantine may be introduced in moderate-to-severe disease stages. Clinicians will regularly monitor symptoms and behaviors, manage comorbidities, assess function, educate and help caregivers access information and support, evaluate patients' fitness to drive or own firearms, and provide advice about the need for legal and financial planning. Review of caregiver well-being and prompt referral for support is vital.

Influence of sex and stress exposure across the lifespan on endophenotypes of depression: focus on behavior, glucocorticoids, and hippocampus

Sex differences exist in vulnerability, symptoms, and treatment of many neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss both preclinical and clinical research that investigates how sex influences depression endophenotypes at the behavioral, neuroendocrine, and neural levels across the lifespan. Chronic exposure to stress is a risk factor for depression and we discuss how stress during the prenatal, postnatal, and adolescent periods differentially affects males and females depending on the method of stress and metric examined. Given that the integrity of the hippocampus is compromised in depression, we specifically focus on sex differences in how hippocampal plasticity is affected by stress and depression across the lifespan. In addition, we examine how female physiology predisposes depression in adulthood, specifically in postpartum and perimenopausal periods. Finally, we discuss the underrepresentation of women in both preclinical and clinical research and how this limits our understanding of sex differences in vulnerability, presentation, and treatment of depression.

Role of antipsychotics for treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

Over the past three decades, concerns about the high prevalence of antipsychotic use in the nursing homes (NHs) for the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia continue to be emphasized and intervened by many. However, despite the numerous side effects and the recent blackbox warning by the United States Food and Drug Administration about the increased risks for stroke and sudden death associated with the use of antipsychotics in dementia, the prevalence of antipsychotic use in NHs remains high. While the use of antipsychotics appeared to have modest efficacy in reducing symptoms of aggression and psychosis in dementia, there is insufficient evidence to routinely recommend the use of alternative psychopharmacological treatments for these symptoms. Hence, clinicians have to balance the safety warnings against the need to treat these symptoms in order to prevent harm to the resident that may result from his/her dangerous behaviors. Although the use of antipsychotics may be warranted in some cases, organizational, resource and training support should be provided to encourage and equip NH staff to participate in interventions so as to minimize inappropriate use of these medicines in NHs. This review will discuss the place in therapy, the trend and appropriateness of antipsychotic use in NHs, as well as the effectiveness of current and future strategies for reducing antipsychotic use in the NHs.

Diagnosis and management of the patient with suspected dementia in primary care

Dementia is a complex progressive syndrome characterised by impairment of cognition (including memory, language, visuospatial skills and executive function), changes in personality and diminished activities of daily living. The impact of dementia is enormous and poses a huge challenge to patients, their carers, society at large and health systems around the world, in terms of the direct cost of medical care, social care and unpaid care provided by family members and others. In this review, we combine evidence and clinical opinion, using guidelines and reviews from 2006, 2009 and 2010 to present a practical guide for primary care physicians to the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care of patients with suspected or diagnosed dementia. This review summarises the epidemiology of dementia syndrome, and offers detailed evidence-based advice on recognition of dementia (including subtyping) and responses to it and its associated symptoms. The roles of neuroimaging and biomarkers are discussed, as are both non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapies.

Recommendations of the Sleep Study Group of the Italian Dementia Research Association (SINDem) on clinical assessment and management of sleep disorders in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a clinical review

Clinical assessment and management of sleep disturbances in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia has important clinical and social implications. Poor sleep results in an increased risk of morbidities and mortality in demented patients and is a source of stress for caregivers. Sleep disturbances show high prevalence in mild cognitive impairment and dementia patients and they are often associated one to another in the same patient. A careful clinical evaluation of sleep disorders should be performed routinely in the clinical setting of individuals with cognitive decline. The Sleep Study Group of the Italian Dementia Research Association (SINDem) reviewed evidence from original research articles, meta-analyses and systematic reviews published up to December 2013. The evidence was classified in quality levels (I, II, III) and strength of recommendations (A, B, C, D, E). Where there was a lack of evidence, but clear consensus, good practice points were provided. These recommendations may not be appropriate for all circumstances and should therefore be adopted only after a patient's individual characteristics have been carefully evaluated.

Unmet needs and research challenges for late-life mood disorders

Mood disorders are common and often under-recognised in older people whereby, together with the general ageing of the population, they are becoming a significant and growing public health problem worldwide. However, the need to address the problem of late life mood disorders in a real-world setting is met with a surprising lack of strong evidence in this field. Randomised clinical trials which focus on elderly mood disorders are not very common and the majority of them focus on pharmacological treatment of major depression. The aim of this study was to review first the main unmet needs and research challenges in late-life mood disorders as a basis to then review the state of the art evidence resulting from randomised clinical trials and the main critical aspects of their implementation. Comorbidity as well as polypharmacy, cognitive decline, unpredictable placebo response, and uncertainty on optimal duration of trials are some of the challenges the investigator has to address. Moreover, some methodological limitations of randomised clinical trials reduce the applicability of the results of such studies to common clinical practices and have encouraged some authors to investigate the existence of possible alternative research designs such as pragmatic randomised clinical trials.

Psychological treatments for depression and anxiety in dementia and mild cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND

Experiencing anxiety and depression is very common in people with dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Psychological interventions have been suggested as a potential treatment for these populations. Current research suggests that people with dementia and MCI have limited opportunities for psychological treatments aimed at improving their well-being. A systematic review of the evidence on their effectiveness is likely to be useful in terms of improving outcomes for patients and for future recommendations for practice.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of psychological interventions in reducing anxiety and depression in people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group Specialized Register and additional sources for both published and unpublished data.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing a psychological intervention with usual care or a placebo intervention (social contact control) in people with dementia or MCI.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors worked independently to select trials, extract data and assess studies for risk of bias, using a data extraction form. We contacted authors when further information was not available from the published articles.

MAIN RESULTS

Six RCTs involving 439 participants with dementia were included in the review, but no studies of participants with MCI were identified. The studies included people with dementia living in the community or in nursing home care and were carried out in several countries. Only one of the studies was classified as low risk of bias. Five studies were at unclear or high risk of bias due to uncertainties around randomisation, blinding and selective reporting of results. The studies used the different psychological approaches of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy and counselling. Two studies were of multimodal interventions including a specific psychological therapy. The comparison groups received either usual care, attention-control educational programs, diagnostic feedback or services slightly above usual care.Meta-analysis showed a positive effect of psychological treatments on depression (6 trials, 439 participants, standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.22; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.41 to -0.03, moderate quality evidence) and on clinician-rated anxiety (2 trials, 65 participants, mean difference (MD) -4.57; 95% CI -7.81 to -1.32, low quality evidence), but not on self-rated anxiety (2 trials, SMD 0.05; 95% CI -0.44 to 0.54) or carer-rated anxiety (1 trial, MD -2.40; 95% CI -4.96 to 0.16). Results were compatible with both benefit and harm on the secondary outcomes of patient quality of life, activities of daily living (ADLs), neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognition, or on carers' self-rated depressive symptoms, but most of the studies did not measure these outcomes. There were no reports of adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found evidence that psychological interventions added to usual care can reduce symptoms of depression and clinician-rated anxiety for people with dementia. We conclude that psychological interventions have the potential to improve patient well-being. Further high quality studies are needed to investigate which treatments are most effective and to evaluate the effect of psychological interventions in people with MCI.

What is the role of medications in late life depression?

In this article, the efficacy and side effects of antidepressants in the elderly are discussed. In addition, whether the elderly in general should be treated with lower doses of antidepressants, and whether the elderly have a slower response to antidepressant treatment, are also discussed.

Dose-response relationship between selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and injurious falls: a study in nursing home residents with dementia

AIM

The contribution of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to injurious fall risk in patients with dementia has not been quantified precisely until now. Our objective was to determine whether a dose-response relationship exists for the use of SSRIs and injurious falls in a population of nursing home residents with dementia.

METHODS

Daily drug use and daily falls were recorded in 248 nursing home residents with dementia from 1 January 2006 until 1 January 2008. For each resident and for each day of the study period, data on drug use were abstracted from the prescription database, and information on falls and subsequent injuries was retrieved from a standardized incident report system, resulting in a dataset of 85,074 person-days.

RESULTS

We found a significant dose-response relationship between injurious falls and the use of SSRIs. The risk of an injurious fall increased significantly with 31% at 0.25 of the Defined Daily Dose (DDD) of a SSRI, 73% at 0.50 DDD, and 198% at 1.00 DDD (Hazard ratio = 2.98; 95% confidence interval 1.94, 4.57). The risk increased further in combination with a hypnotic or sedative.

CONCLUSIONS

Even at low doses, SSRIs are associated with increased risk of an injurious fall in nursing home residents with dementia. Higher doses increase the risk further with a three-fold risk at 1.00 DDD. New treatment protocols might be needed that take into account the dose-response relationship between SSRIs and injurious falls.

Treatment decisions on antidepressants in nursing homes: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To explore decision-making on treatment with antidepressants among doctors and nurses in nursing homes.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS

A qualitative study based on interviews with three focus groups comprising eight physicians engaged full time, eight physicians engaged part time, and eight registered nurses, respectively. The interview guide comprised questions on initiating, evaluating, and withdrawing treatment with antidepressants. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed by systematic text condensation.

RESULTS

The first theme was the diagnostic process. The informants expressed difficulty in differentiating between depression and sorrow resulting from loss in old age. Further, the doctors reported that they relied on nurses' observations and rarely carried out systematic diagnostic work and follow-up of patients with depression. The second theme was treatment. Antidepressants were usually the only type of treatment provided, and patients were kept on medication even though staff felt uncertain whether this was effective. The third theme was who really determines the treatment. Registered nurses reported that unskilled and auxiliary nursing staff requested drug treatment, and doctors felt some pressure from the nurses to prescribe antidepressants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the quality of diagnosis and treatment for depression in nursing homes needs to be improved in Norway. Doctors should be more available and take responsibility and leadership in medical decisions.

Epidemiology, assessment, and treatment of dementia

The risk of developing dementia is associated with increasing age, lifestyle, and cardiovascular health. Alzheimer dementia is characterized by progressive cognitive deficits and decline in functional ability. Using history, examination, and laboratory testing, the clinician can evaluate the patient with dementia. Specific to these conditions are assessments of cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and level of functioning. Managing neuropsychiatric symptoms is challenging and requires a team approach in which nonpharmacological strategies are preferred before medications are considered. Various diagnostic methods are being developed to discriminate disease from nondisease and track progression. Drug discovery is identifying novel molecules that target underlying disease mechanisms.

Psychosocial interventions for late-life major depression: evidence-based treatments, predictors of treatment outcomes, and moderators of treatment effects

This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of psychosocial interventions for the acute treatment of late-life depression and identifies predictors of treatment outcomes and moderators of treatment effects. Problem-solving therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and treatment initiation and participation program have supportive evidence of efficacy, pending replication. Although the data on predictors of treatment outcomes and moderators of treatment effects are preliminary, it appears that baseline anxiety and stress level, personality disorders, endogenous depression, and reduced self-rated health predict worse depression outcomes. Future research may examine the moderating effects of baseline depression severity and identify other clinical or demographic moderators.

Depression and risk of developing dementia

Depression is highly common throughout the life course and dementia is common in late life. Depression has been linked with dementia, and growing evidence implies that the timing of depression may be important in defining the nature of this association. In particular, earlier-life depression (or depressive symptoms) has consistently been associated with a more than twofold increase in dementia risk. By contrast, studies of late-life depression and dementia risk have been conflicting; most support an association, yet the nature of this association (for example, if depression is a prodrome or consequence of, or risk factor for dementia) remains unclear. The likely biological mechanisms linking depression to dementia include vascular disease, alterations in glucocorticoid steroid levels and hippocampal atrophy, increased deposition of amyloid-β plaques, inflammatory changes, and deficits of nerve growth factors. Treatment strategies for depression could interfere with these pathways and alter the risk of dementia. Given the projected increase in dementia incidence in the coming decades, understanding whether treatment for depression alone, or combined with other regimens, improves cognition is of critical importance. In this Review, we summarize and analyze current evidence linking late-life and earlier-life depression and dementia, and discuss the primary underlying mechanisms and implications for treatment.

Continuing treatment of depression in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blinded randomized controlled trials with antidepressants

OBJECTIVE

To establish the efficacy and tolerability of continuing treatment with antidepressants in preventing relapses and recurrences in elderly depressed patients and to analyze differences between tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

DESIGN

The authors conducted a systematic literature search to identify all randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trials(RCTs) in elderly patients. Data were pooled from eight double-blinded RCTs of continuation and maintenance treatment in the elderly with 925 participating patients.

RESULTS

The number of patients needed to treat (NNT) for antidepressants to prevent one additional relapse or recurrence was 3 6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8-4.8).The NNT for TCAs was 2.9 (95% CI: 2.2-4.6), compared with a NNT for SSRIs of 4.2(95% CI: 3.2-5.9). In the five studies that provide drop out data, 14 of 330 patients(4.2%) using an antidepressant dropped out due to side effects compared with 17 of 330 patients (5.2%) using a placebo (χ² = 0.305, df = 1, p = 0.581). Tolerability did not differ between TCAs and SSRIs.

CONCLUSION

Continuing treatment with antidepressants in elderly patients is efficacious compared with placebo in preventing relapses and recurrences. Efficacy and tolerability during long-term treatment does not differ between TCAs and SSRIs.

[Evidence-based therapy of depression: S3 guidelines on unipolar depression]

Unipolar depressive disorders are among the most frequent reasons for utilizing the health care system. Although efficacious treatments are available and further advances have recently been made there is still a need for improving diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Alignment of treatment on evidence-based treatment guidelines establishes an essential mainstay. The new S3 and National Health Care guidelines on unipolar depression, the compilation of which was coordinated by the German Society of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Neurology (DGPPN) and which were approved by 29 scientific and professional associations, is the ambitious effort to present state of the art evidence and clinical consensus for the treatment of depression. For pharmacotherapy of depression differentiated recommendations can be given, also separate from and in addition to psychotherapy.

Depression in nursing homes

BACKGROUND

Although studies have shown the prevalence of depression in nursing homes to be high, under-recognition of depression in these facilities is widespread. Use of screening tests to enhance detection of depressive symptoms has been recommended.

METHODS

This paper aims to provoke discussion about optimal management of depression in nursing homes. The utility of the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) is considered. CSDD data relating to residents assessed in 2008-2009 were collected from three Sydney nursing homes.

RESULTS

CSDD scores were available from 162 residents, though raters stated they were unable to score participants on at least one item in 47 cases. Scores of 13 or more were recorded for 23% of residents in these facilities, but in most of these cases little was documented in case files to show that the results had been discussed by staff, or that they led to interventions, or that follow-up testing was arranged.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of CSDD testing should prompt care staff (including doctors) to consider causation of depression in cases where residents are identified as possibly depressed. In particular, there needs to be discussion of how to help residents to cope with disability, losses, and feelings of powerlessness. Research is needed, examining factors that might predict response to antidepressants, and what else helps. Accreditation of nursing homes could be made to depend partly on evidence that staff regularly search for, and (if found) ensure appropriate responses to, depression.

Medicinal plants and dementia therapy: herbal hopes for brain aging?

An escalating "epidemic" of diseases like Alzheimer's has not yet been met by effective symptomatic treatments or preventative strategies. Among a few current prescription drugs are cholinesterase inhibitors including galantamine, originating from the snowdrop. Research into ethnobotanicals for memory or cognition has burgeoned in recent years. Based on a multi-faceted review of medicinal plants or phytochemicals, including traditional uses, relevant bioactivities, psychological and clinical evidence on efficacy and safety, this overview focuses on those for which there is promising clinical trial evidence in people with dementia, together with at least one other of these lines of supporting evidence. With respect to cognitive function, such plants reviewed include sage, Ginkgo biloba, and complex mixtures of other traditional remedies. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) challenge carers and lead to institutionalization. Symptoms can be alleviated by some plant species (e.g., lemon balm and lavender alleviate agitation in people with dementia; St John's wort treats depression in the normal population). The ultimate goal of disease prevention is considered from the perspective of limited epidemiological and clinical trial evidence to date. The potential value of numerous plant extracts or chemicals (e.g., curcumin) with neuroprotective but as yet no clinical data are reviewed. Given intense clinical need and carer concerns, which lead to exploration of such alternatives as herbal medicines, the following research priorities are indicated: investigating botanical agents which enhance cognition in populations with mild memory impairment or at earliest disease stages, and those for BPSD in people with dementia at more advanced stages; establishing an ongoing authoritative database on herbal medicine for dementia; and further epidemiological and follow up studies of promising phytopharmaceuticals or related nutraceuticals for disease prevention.

Unipolar depression: diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations from the current S3/National Clinical Practice Guideline

BACKGROUND

Depressive disorders are among the most common illnesses and reasons for obtaining health care. Their diagnosis and treatment are still in need of improvement. In Germany, a new S3/National Clinical Practice Guideline has been developed for this purpose.

METHODS

The existing guidelines on unipolar depression from Germany and other countries were synoptically compared and supplemented with systematic literature searches. After 14 consensus conferences, a total of 107 evidence-based recommendations were issued.

RESULTS

Unipolar depression should be diagnosed in accordance with ICD-10 criteria. Screening questionnaires are useful aids to diagnostic classification. When a treatment is chosen, shared decision-making with the patient is essential. Mild depressive episodes can be treated initially by watchful waiting for 14 days. For moderate depressive episodes, pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are equally effective treatment options. For severe depression, a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy is recommended. If 4 to 6 weeks of acute therapy are insufficiently effective, lithium augmentation is recommended, rather than combination antidepressant therapy or a switch to another antidepressant. After remission, maintenance therapy should be continued for 4 to 9 months. In recurrent depression, pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy, where appropriate, should be continued for at least two years. Specific recommendations are given for patients who have somatic or mental comorbidities or are acutely suicidal, and recommendations are also given for coordination of care.

CONCLUSION

This guideline is a comprehensive set of evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of unipolar depression. An improvement in the care of patients with unipolar depression will require broad implementation of the guideline, both in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

Management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia

Neuropsychiatric symptoms are frequent and troublesome in people with dementia and present a major treatment challenge for clinicians. Most good practice guidelines suggest non-pharmacological treatments as the first-line therapy and there is emerging evidence, including randomized controlled trials, that a variety of psychological and training interventions, including social interaction and person-centred care training, are effective. There is evidence from meta-analyses that some atypical antipsychotic drugs, specifically risperidone and aripiprazole, confer benefit in the treatment of aggression in people with Alzheimer's disease over a period of up to 12 weeks. However, these benefits have to be considered in the context of significant adverse events, including extrapyramidal symptoms, accelerated cognitive decline, stroke and death. In addition, the limited evidence available does not indicate ongoing treatment benefits over longer periods of therapy. The evidence is limited for other pharmacological treatment approaches, but the best evidence is probably for carbamazepine, memantine and citalopram. There is very limited evidence for any therapies in non-Alzheimer dementias. In conclusion, it is important in most situations to limit the use of antipsychotic medication to short-term treatment (up to 12 weeks) of severe neuropsychiatric symptoms to limit harm. Non-pharmacological therapies offer a viable and effective alternative in many situations. Adequately powered randomized controlled trials for the treatment of clinically significant agitation are urgently needed to explore alternative pharmacological therapies.

Fifteen year comparison of antipsychotic use in people with dementia within hospital and nursing home settings: sequential cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The use of antipsychotics to treat people with behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia is controversial, especially in long-stay settings. We assessed the relationship between behaviour, function and antipsychotic use in people with dementia in a long-stay psychiatric unit and designated elderly mentally ill (EMI) nursing homes over a 15-year period.

METHOD

Sequential cross-sectional studies assessing twelve behaviours and seven measures of function for each patient. Antipsychotic and antidepressant use was obtained from current prescription records.

RESULTS

Regular antipsychotic use in hospital fell between 1990 and 1998. In 1998 use in nursing homes was significantly greater than in hospital, and increased between 1998 and 2005. Noisiness/verbal aggression (NVA) was the only behaviour more commonly associated with regular antipsychotic use over that timescale. Those with low levels of core symptoms (p = 0.021) and high dependency patients (p = 0.001) were more likely to be receiving regular antipsychotics in nursing homes than in hospital. Depression was not treated well even when identified.

CONCLUSION

Compared to a long-stay hospital setting, antipsychotic drug use for people with dementia in nursing homes has risen and become less systematic. This cannot be explained by increasing core behaviour symptoms or differences in physical dependency.

Packages of care for dementia in low- and middle-income countries

In the fifth in a series of six articles on packages of care for mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries, Martin Prince and colleagues discuss the treatment of dementia.

Agitation in the morning: symptom of depression in dementia?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible correlations between depression in dementia and agitation in the morning by a prospective naturalistic study.

METHODS

Data were collected from three independent nursing homes in an urban setting. Trained nursing home staff pre-selected 110 demented and agitated patients with a minimum age of 60 years. Three main groups were formed based on agitation peak either: in the morning, evening or none. Each is respectively: 'sunrisers', 'sundowners' and 'constants'. Agitation was assessed by the same staff twice a day for a 2-week timeframe using the CMAI (Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory); MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) for dementia re-evaluation and staging; CSDD (Cornell Score for Depression in Dementia) for depression screening.

RESULTS

Sixty-three (60%) of all patients were depressive but only 16 patients of them were treated with antidepressants. Forty-four patients were classified as belonging to the 'sunriser' group, 38 to the 'sundowners' and 23 to the 'constants'. There were no significant differences in depression between the three groups: p = 0.798 for the difference in proportion of depressed or not depressed people; p = 0.272 for the difference in raw Cornell-score between agitation in the morning and evening.

CONCLUSION

'Sunrising' appears to play an important role in dementia. In our population agitation was slightly more common in the morning than in the evening, but peak of agitation does not seem to be related to depression in dementia. Our data supports that the diagnosis of depression is still often overlooked in demented and agitated persons.

Adherence to medication in patients with dementia: predictors and strategies for improvement

Measures to facilitate patient medication adherence should be considered an integral part of the comprehensive care of older patients with multiple diseases. However, impairment of cognitive functions and dementia, in particular, may substantially compromise adherence behaviour. Therefore, a literature review was performed to identify factors associated with adherence to medication in patients with cognitive impairment or dementia, and to discuss strategies for improvement of non-adherence. Evidence-based information on how to deal with adherence to medication in patients with dementia is scarce because of a lack of specific studies. However, there is increasing knowledge about factors influencing medication adherence behaviour in older age, and emerging insight into the relationships between adherence behaviour and cognitive capacity, memory and executive function, in particular. Nevertheless, understanding elderly persons' strategies for maintaining regular use of even complex drug regimens is still limited. Progress of research in this field is needed. It is notable that measures to improve adherence consist of combinations of educational interventions and cognitive support but assessment of study participants' cognitive function is rare. In clinical practice, awareness of non-adherence as a result of cognitive impairment is relatively low. The most important step is early detection of cognitive impairment when this is impacting negatively on medication management. A practical geriatric screening test is recommended to identify memory problems and further functional impairments associated with cognitive impairment. Performance-based assessments might be useful for screening medication management capacity, in addition to a careful drug history, inspection of all medicines used (including over-the-counter drugs) and proxy information. However, no feasible screening methods have as yet found their way into clinical practice. Patients with impaired executive function, lack of awareness of illness and personality traits such as independency and high self-confidence may be at particular risk of non-adherence. The question is when to switch patient medication self-management to another person's responsibility if cognitive decline progresses. Further research is needed on measures to differentiate cognitive function and the relationships between memory concerns, memory strategy use and medication management. Also, studies evaluating the influence of personal support, health status and depression on the memory strategies used are needed. It is important to assess patients' attitudes toward medication and their relationship with proxies. Strategies for facilitating medication adherence in patients with dementia include prescribing as few medicines as possible, tailoring dose regimens to personal habits, and coordinating all drug dosing schedules as much as possible. When providing medication organizers, it is important to observe the patient's ability to use devices appropriately. In addition, automated computer-based reminding aids, online medication monitoring and telemonitoring may be helpful for patients with mild dementia. The decision as to when assistance with medication self-management is needed has to be made taking into account patient independency and safety aspects. This holds true for medicines with a narrow therapeutic range, in particular. Interactions among the individual patient's cognitive status, mood, level of self-efficacy and particular living situation must also be taken into consideration when searching for the optimal medication adherence strategy. No evidence-based recommendations can be given as yet. However, comprehensive assessment of the individual patient and careful consideration of all potential drug-related problems will probably help facilitate adherence and prevent compromised health outcomes in patients with dementia.