Prevalence
Recognize the prevalence of hallucinations and delusions among people with dementia-related psychosis.
Prevalence
Hallucinations and delusions are prevalent across the dementias.3,9-22
Symptoms
Uncover the experience of hallucinations and delusions among people with dementia-related psychosis.
Symptoms
Neuropsychiatric symptoms—including hallucinations and delusions—may negatively impact patients, caregivers, and society.7,8,23-31
Neurobiology
Understand the proposed science of hallucinations and delusions across the dementias.
Neurobiology
The neurobiology of hallucinations and delusions across the dementias may include dysfunction in the serotonergic network and in the frontotemporal regions.35-52
Unmet Need
Recognize the unmet medical need for people experiencing dementia‑related hallucinations and delusions.
Unmet Need
There is a significant unmet medical need for people experiencing dementia‑related hallucinations and delusions.56-60
Actor portrayals
Video
The Prevalence, Impact, and Proposed Neurobiology of Delusions and Hallucinations Associated With Dementia-Related Psychosis
Prevalence
Prevalence
Hallucinations and delusions occur across dementia types.3,9-22
Impact
Impact
Hallucinations and delusions may affect clinical outcomes for patients with dementia.24
Neurobiology
Neurobiology
Changes in the cerebral cortex are thought to play a role in hallucinations and delusions in people with dementia.50-52,55
Newsletter
Understanding the Impact and Consequences of Hallucinations and Delusions Associated With Dementia‑Related Psychosis From the Neurologist, Psychiatrist, and Caregiver Perspectives
Delusions
Delusions
Delusions of reference, theft, and strangers in the house are the most frequently reported delusions in people with dementia-related psychosis.3
Behavioral problems
Behavioral problems
Dementia-related hallucinations and delusions can be associated with significant behavioral problems.23
Complex symptoms
Complex symptoms
The association between hallucinations and delusions in people with dementia and episodes of aggression is complex.16,62,63
MD-IQ: Test Your Knowledge
How well do you understand dementia-related hallucinations and delusions?
Newsletter
Uncover What Could Be Behind Behavioral Changes in People With Dementia
Contributing causes
Contributing causes
Once noncognitive NPS occur, associated behavioral disturbances must be differentiated and contributing causes must be identified and addressed.64
Symptom identification
Symptom identification
The diagnosis of dementia-related hallucinations and delusions typically includes a thorough differential diagnosis.34,65
Underlying factors
Underlying factors
Uncovering contributing causes of behavioral changes so they can be addressed is part of the process of managing noncognitive NPS, such as behavioral changes.64
Video
A Proposed Neural Pathway Associated With Delusions and Hallucinations in Dementia-Related Psychosis
Cortical dysregulation
Cortical dysregulation
The activity of cortical neurons can become dysregulated when the cortex is damaged.39,69,73-74
Proposed neural pathway
Proposed neural pathway
A proposed cortical-mesolimbic neural pathway may be associated with hallucinations and delusions.70,71
Serotonin modulation
Serotonin modulation
The activity of pathways associated with hallucinations and delusions can be modulated by neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.35-49
What Is the Proposed Neurobiology of Hallucinations and Delusions Across the Dementias?
Newsletter
Unmet Medical Need in the Management of Dementia-Related Hallucinations and Delusions
Prevalent symptoms
Prevalent symptoms
Dementia-related hallucinations and delusions are prevalent.72
Medication risk
Medication risk
The use of antipsychotics in dementia-related psychosis is associated with an increased risk of mortality and other serious adverse
events.56-58
Cognitive decline
Cognitive decline
Atypical antipsychotic use over time may be associated with reduced cognitive function.59
Dementia-Related Hallucinations and Delusions: Exploring the Unmet Medical Need
A series of engaging snapshots succinctly explores the need for an FDA-approved treatment option for people who experience dementia-related hallucinations and delusions.
Video
Unmet Need for the Treatment of Dementia-Related Psychosis
Need for diagnostic criteria
Need for diagnostic criteria
There is a need for specific diagnostic criteria for psychosis in dementia.34
No FDA-approved treatments
No FDA-approved treatments
Currently, no antipsychotic medications are FDA approved to treat dementia-related hallucinations and delusions.56
Adverse events
Adverse events
The use of currently available atypical antipsychotics in patients with dementia may be associated with adverse events.61
What Is the Unmet Medical Need for People With Dementia-Related Hallucinations and Delusions?
During this presentation, Dr. Gary W. Small shares information on the unmet medical need of patients who experience dementia-related hallucinations and delusions.
Newsletter
The Importance of Documentation in the Management of Problematic Behavior in Residents With Dementia in Long-term Care
Transitions of care
Transitions of care
While some patients with dementia can age in place at home or a group home, others undergo various transitions of care due to their care needs.66,67
Caregiver burden
Caregiver burden
Caregiver burden contributes to institutionalization of people with dementia.68
Documentation
Documentation
Learn more about documenting problematic behaviors in residents with dementia in long-term care.
Check out the findings from the MD-IQ quiz, supplemented by expert commentary from Drs. Stephen A. Brunton and Elaine R. Peskind.
Find out how your peers responded to questions from a recent survey. Drs. Ara S. Khachaturian and Jacobo Mintzer share their perspectives on the findings.
