The use of benzodiazepines in the management of behavioral symptoms in demented patients

Although noncognitive behavioral symptoms contribute significantly to the morbidity in Alzheimer's disease, few studies have investigated the treatment of these disturbances. The review of the literature indicates that short acting benzodiazepines, such as oxazepam, appear equally effective as some neuroleptics and superior to placebo and longer-acting benzodiazepines in the short-term management of behavioral symptoms in psychogeriatric or demented patients. Several findings, however, argue against the uncritical extrapolation of these findings to patients with Alzheimer's disease. Future studies on the treatment of behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer's disease need to clarify the specific symptoms that should be treated pharmacologically, the therapeutic agents that have the most advantageous risk-benefit ratio, and the optimal treatment duration.