Scuteri D, Corasaniti MT, Tonin P, Nicotera P, Bagetta G. New trends in pharmacological control of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.
Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021;
61:69-76. [PMID:
34634603 DOI:
10.1016/j.coph.2021.09.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal neuronal and synaptic plasticity occurs in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and depression. The latter, particularly late-life, has been recognized as fundamental in the identification of at-risk prodromal stages of AD. The lack of disease-modifying drugs and the off-label use of antipsychotics and antidepressants for neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) have caused a season of therapeutic inappropriateness. To date, the wealth of clinical trials investigating drugs, diverse for structure and mechanism of action, has failed to provide a cure for all the spectrums of NPSs. Psychedelics in microdosing afford promotion of neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity and, recently, have been considered a revolution for the management of depression endowed with faster action and an improved side effect profile than antidepressants. In the current scenario, therefore, the rapid-acting antidepressant esketamine could represent the first-in-class for treatment of NPSs, and this deserves to be demonstrated with an open-label clinical trial.
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