Balancing psychosocial and psychopharmacologic measures in Alzheimer's disease

The behavioral and emotional symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are frequently the most important clinical considerations for physicians, who can choose to employ behavioral/environmental (psychosocial) or psychopharmacologic measures to deal with such symptoms. The appropriate use of these modalities to treat behavioral/emotional symptoms isfacilitated by using a frame of reference that includes information as to where, when, and with whom symptoms occur, with what medication or medical condition, how often, and how troubling or dangerous to patient, caregiver; or others. It should also include patients' ability to communicate, learn and comprehend. This frame of reference can help clinicians appropriately balance their use of psychosocial and psychopharmacologic interventions with AD patients.