Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (Dec 2023)
Trazodone in the Management of Major Depression Among Elderly Patients with Dementia: A Narrative Review and Clinical Insights
Abstract
Andrea Fagiolini,1 Ana González Pinto,2,3 Kamilla Woznica Miskowiak,4– 6 Pedro Morgado,7– 9 Allan H Young,10,11 Eduard Vieta12 1Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, University of Siena School of Medicine, Siena, 53100, Italy; 2Bioaraba Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria, 01004, Spain; 3CIBERSAM, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain; 4Copenhagen Affective Disorder research Centre (CADIC), Psychiatric Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark; 5Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; 6Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; 7Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, 4710-057, Portugal; 8ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, 4710-057, Portugal; 9Clinical Academic Center-Braga (2CA), Braga, 4710-243, Portugal; 10Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London, London, UK; 11South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Kent, UK; 12Bipolar and Depressive Disorders Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, SpainCorrespondence: Andrea Fagiolini, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, University of Siena School of Medicine, Viale Bracci 12, Siena, 53100, Italy, Tel +39- 0577-586275, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Major depressive disorder (MDD) often co-occurs with dementia and other neurological disorders, and treatment with antidepressants can improve symptoms, quality of life, and survival in these patients. This narrative review provides an expert opinion about the role and effectiveness of trazodone in the treatment of older adults with MDD and cognitive impairment due to physical illnesses, such as dementia.Results: Because of its mechanism of action, trazodone can treat several depression symptoms often seen in people with dementia, including insomnia, agitation, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and irritability.Conclusion: Trazodone may be beneficial for patients with dementia or other neurological disorders comorbid with MDD, especially when the clinical picture of depression includes or is comorbid to symptoms of insomnia, irritability, inner tension, anxiety, or psychomotor agitation.Keywords: major depressive disorder, depression, dementia, cognitive impairment, trazodone
