The prevalence of behavioral disturbance in dementia has been estimated at 60% to 80% with a lifetime risk of nearly 100%. Agitation not only may exacerbate the patient’s functional and cognitive deficits, but is also very distressing for caregivers, and can lead to premature admission to long term care facilities. Unfortunately, there is no FDA approved therapy for behavioral disturbances of dementia. The use of mood stabilizers in dementia was originally advocated on the basis on observations and reports of reduced agitation, aggression, and impulsivity across a wide range of other neuropsychiatric disorders in patients treated with these compounds. Since 1994 there have been several studies looking at the efficacy and tolerability of these medications in patients with behavioral symptoms related to neurodegenerative disorders. There is now emerging evidence that not only are mood stabilizers safe and effective in treating agitation in patients with dementing illnesses, but there is increasing evidence that they also provide possible neuroprotection, making the use of these compounds especially important in this population
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