Buspirone in Alzheimer's disease.

Anxiety symptoms are experienced by the majority of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Generalized anxiety disorder may occur in 5-6% of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Anxiety symptoms may underlie agitation and aggression. Anxiety and agitation cause significant morbidity, caregiver distress and may even precipitate institutionalization. Benzodiazepines, although frequently used to treat anxiety and agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease, should be avoided because of the high morbidity associated with their use. Disturbances in serotonergic neurotransmission may underlie anxiety symptoms and agitation. Preliminary evidence suggests that buspirone may be a good non sedating alternative to treat Alzheimer's disease patients with persistent anxiety symptoms and agitation-aggression. Effective doses reported range from 15 to 60 mg/day is generally well-tolerated. Large, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the potential benefits of buspirone for anxiety symptoms and other behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer's disease patients.