Diagnosis and Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease

Purpose of Review To explore the most recent developments in the effective diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent Findings The clinical diagnosis of NPS in AD is facilitated by the use of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). CT and MRI scans can be useful for detecting structural changes indicating AD. Other promising diagnostic methodologies that are less frequently used in the clinical setting include positron emission tomography (PET) scans for detecting amyloid and blood tests for detecting serum biomarkers. Numerous pharmaceutical agents have been studied for their use in managing NPS, with antipsychotics being popular for managing agitation but also having significant side effects. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as reminiscence therapy and the Describe, Investigate, Create, Evaluate (DICE) approach may be able to provide treatment without such adverse effects.