Updates in the Management of Agitation Associated with Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease, or AD, is more than simply the loss of memory. It is a complex condition driven by numerous changes in the brain, including in chemicals called neurotransmitters that enable brain cells to communicate with each other.

Changes in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease affect these neurotransmitters, leading to disturbing changes in your loved one’s behavior. This is called agitation in Alzheimer’s disease, or AAD. Many caregivers find agitation to be one of the most challenging and distressing effects of the disease.1 It is quite common, affecting up to 80% of those people with Alzheimer’s disease.

In this toolkit, you’ll learn about agitation in Alzheimer's disease (AAD), why it happens, and what non-medical and medical treatments are available.