CARBAMAZEPINE TREATMENT OF AGITATED BEHAV IOR IN GERONTOPSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS

Symptomatic behavioral disturbances including agitation, motor restles sness, outbursts and hostility remain a major problem in clinical mana gement of gerontopsychiatric patients. Termination of home care and su bsequent hospitalisation is caused largely by behavior disturbances an d not cognitive deficits. Clinical efficacy of neuroleptic treatment s eems to be modest and is limited by unwanted side effects. Carbamazepi ne shows psychotropic effects and seems to improve limbic pathology in cluding aggression and poor impulse control in various psychiatric dis orders. Treatment with carbamazepine was evaluated in an open study de sign in 29 gerontopsychiatric inpatients. Carbamazepine was efficient in treating agitated behavior disturbances in dementia and other disor ders. Adverse effects of the drug showed up only in a small percentage of the patients and were reversible after discontinuation of the drug . The results suggest that carbamazepine may be effective in treating agitated behavior in gerontopsychiatric patients with different disord ers. It may represent a sensible alternative or complementation to oth er therapeutic interventions.