CURRENT PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO AGGRESSION IN DEMENTIA: EVIDENCE AND EMERGING TRENDS

Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a decline in cognitive and functional abilities, affecting over 55 million people globally—a figure expected to rise substantially in the coming decades. Beyond cognitive deficits, behavioral and psychological symptoms such as aggression represent significant clinical challenges. Aggression affects approximately 20–30% of individuals with dementia and can manifest as verbal outbursts, physical aggression, resistance to care, and socially inappropriate behaviors. These symptoms not only distress patients but also increase caregiver burden, accelerate functional decline, and lead to earlier institutionalization and higher healthcare costs. The underlying causes of aggression in dementia are multifactorial, involving neuropathological changes, unmet physical or emotional needs, environmental triggers, and difficulties in communication. This paper reviews current pharmacological treatment options for aggression in dementia, evaluates the evidence supporting their use, and discusses future directions for research and clinical practice. Understanding and managing aggression in dementia is crucial to improving quality of life for both patients and caregivers, while optimizing resource allocation in geriatric care