1
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Baker M, Song W, Fusick A. Pimavanserin Use in Lewy Body Dementia: A Case Report Demonstrating the Medication's Efficacy. Cureus 2023; 15:e46356. [PMID: 37920617 PMCID: PMC10619331 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pimavanserin is an antipsychotic that is approved for use in Parkinson's disease psychosis. Working as a serotonin 2A inverse agonist, pimavanserin allows patients to improve their psychotic symptoms without worsening the motor symptoms of Parkinson's. This mechanism is mediated via serotonin receptors and may allow for pimavanserin to be considered for use in other disease processes that present with psychosis. Here, the authors describe the case of a 75-year-old man with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) who was started on pimavanserin. The response of the patient to the medication was measured over a six-week time course using the Scales for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia (SAPS). Overall, pimavanserin was shown to be effective in this patient with LBD. The authors also provide a review of the sparse literature attesting to other off-label uses for this unique antipsychotic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenxin Song
- Mental Health, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, USA
| | - Adam Fusick
- Mental Health and Behavioral Services, James A Haley Veteran Affairs, Tampa, USA
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2
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Danics L, Abbas AA, Kis B, Pircs K. Fountain of youth—Targeting autophagy in aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1125739. [PMID: 37065462 PMCID: PMC10090449 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1125739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As our society ages inexorably, geroscience and research focusing on healthy aging is becoming increasingly urgent. Macroautophagy (referred to as autophagy), a highly conserved process of cellular clearance and rejuvenation has attracted much attention due to its universal role in organismal life and death. Growing evidence points to autophagy process as being one of the key players in the determination of lifespan and health. Autophagy inducing interventions show significant improvement in organismal lifespan demonstrated in several experimental models. In line with this, preclinical models of age-related neurodegenerative diseases demonstrate pathology modulating effect of autophagy induction, implicating its potential to treat such disorders. In humans this specific process seems to be more complex. Recent clinical trials of drugs targeting autophagy point out some beneficial effects for clinical use, although with limited effectiveness, while others fail to show any significant improvement. We propose that using more human-relevant preclinical models for testing drug efficacy would significantly improve clinical trial outcomes. Lastly, the review discusses the available cellular reprogramming techniques used to model neuronal autophagy and neurodegeneration while exploring the existing evidence of autophagy’s role in aging and pathogenesis in human-derived in vitro models such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurons (iPSC-neurons) or induced neurons (iNs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Danics
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network and Semmelweis University (ELKH-SU), Cerebrovascular and Neurocognitive Disorders Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Anoir Abbas
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Kis
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Karolina Pircs
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine - Semmelweis University (HCEMM-SU), Neurobiology and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center and Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Karolina Pircs,
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3
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Rogowska M, Thornton M, Creese B, Velayudhan L, Aarsland D, Ballard C, Tsamakis K, Stewart R, Mueller C. Implications of Adverse Outcomes Associated with Antipsychotics in Older Patients with Dementia: A 2011-2022 Update. Drugs Aging 2023; 40:21-32. [PMID: 36513918 PMCID: PMC9747539 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-022-00992-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric symptoms affect most patients with dementia over the course of the disease. They include a wide variety of symptoms from apathy and depression to psychosis, irritability, impulsivity and agitation. These symptoms are associated with significant distress to the patient and caregivers, as well as more rapid progression of dementia, institutionalisation and higher mortality. The first-line management of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia should be non-pharmacological. If medications are required, antipsychotics are commonly chosen. Second-generation antipsychotics such as risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine and aripiprazole are prescribed more often than first-generation antipsychotics, such as haloperidol. The aim of this review is to provide an update on findings on adverse outcomes and clinical implications of antipsychotic use in dementia. These medications may increase mortality and can be associated with adverse events including pneumonia, cerebrovascular events, parkinsonian symptoms or higher rates of venous thromboembolism. Risks related to antipsychotic use in dementia are moderated by a number of modifiable and non-modifiable factors such as co-prescribing of other medications, medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, and demographics such as age and sex, making individualised treatment decisions challenging. Antipsychotics have further been associated with an increased risk of reliance on long-term care and institutionalisation, and they might not be cost-effective for healthcare systems. Many of these risks can potentially be mitigated by close physical health monitoring of antipsychotic treatment, as well as early withdrawal of pharmacotherapy when clinically possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Rogowska
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, London, UK.
| | - Mary Thornton
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, London, UK
| | - Byron Creese
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Latha Velayudhan
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, London, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dag Aarsland
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, London, UK
- Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Clive Ballard
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Konstantinos Tsamakis
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, London, UK
- Second Department of Psychiatry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, University General Hospital 'ATTIKON', Athens, Greece
| | - Robert Stewart
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, London, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Christoph Mueller
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, London, UK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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4
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Cao Y, Yu F, Lyu Y, Lu X. Promising candidates from drug clinical trials: Implications for clinical treatment of Alzheimer's disease in China. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1034243. [PMID: 36457865 PMCID: PMC9706102 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1034243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Prior to 2017, National Medical Products Administration approved only four drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease, including three cholinesterase inhibitors and one N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist. We queried ClinicalTrials.gov to better understand Alzheimer's drug development over the past 5 years and found 16 promising candidates that have entered late-stage trials and analyzed their impact on clinical treatment of Alzheimer's disease in China. The 16 compounds selected include disease-modifying therapies and symptomatic therapies. The research and development pipeline now focuses on disease-modifying therapies such as gantenerumab, aducanumab, ALZ-801, ALZT-OP1, donanemab, lecanemab, simufilam, NE3107, semaglutide, and GV-971, which could put an end to the situation where Alzheimer's patients in China have no effective treatment alternatives. The reuse of drugs or combinations currently under investigation for the psychiatric treatment of Alzheimer's disease, including AXS-05, AVP-786, nabilone, brexpiprazole, methylphenidate, and pimavanserin, could provide physicians with additional treatment options. Although most of these drugs have not been explored in China yet, due to the current development trend in this field in China, it is expected that China will be involved in research on these drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Cao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Feng Yu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Lyu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianfu Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology (High-Tech Branch), The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Anqing First People's Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anqing, China
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5
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Psychosis in Alzheimer disease - mechanisms, genetics and therapeutic opportunities. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:131-144. [PMID: 34983978 PMCID: PMC9074132 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00597-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Psychosis is a common and distressing symptom in people with Alzheimer disease, and few safe and effective treatments are available. However, new approaches to symptom assessment and treatment are beginning to drive the field forward. New nosological perspectives have been provided by incorporating the emergence of psychotic symptoms in older adults - even in advance of dementia - into epidemiological and neurobiological frameworks as well as into diagnostic and research criteria such as the International Psychogeriatric Association criteria for psychosis in neurocognitive disorders, the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) research criteria for psychosis in neurodegenerative disease, and the ISTAART criteria for mild behavioural impairment. Here, we highlight the latest findings in genomics, neuroimaging and neurobiology that are informing approaches to drug discovery and repurposing. Current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options are discussed, with a focus on safety and precision medicine. We also explore trial data for pimavanserin, a novel agent that shows promise for the treatment of psychosis in people with dementia, and discuss existing agents that might be useful but need further exploration such as escitalopram, lithium, cholinesterase inhibitors and vitamin D. Although the assessment and management of psychosis in people with dementia remain challenging, new opportunities are providing direction and hope to the field.
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6
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Neef J, Palacios DS. Progress in mechanistically novel treatments for schizophrenia. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:1459-1475. [PMID: 34671731 PMCID: PMC8459322 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00096a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently available pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia derive their activity mainly by directly modulating the D2 receptor. This mode of action can alleviate the positive symptoms of schizophrenia but do not address the negative or cognitive symptoms of the disease and carry a heavy side effect burden that leads to high levels of patient non-compliance. Novel mechanisms to treat the positive symptoms of schizophrenia with improved tolerability, as well as medicines to treat negative and cognitive symptoms are urgently required. Recent efforts to identify small molecules for schizophrenia with non-D2 mechanisms will be highlighted, with a focus on those that have reached clinical development. Finally, the potential for disease modifying treatments for schizophrenia will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Neef
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc 22 Windsor St Cambridge MA 02139 USA
| | - Daniel S Palacios
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research Inc 22 Windsor St Cambridge MA 02139 USA
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7
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Yuede CM, Wallace CE, Davis TA, Gardiner WD, Hettinger JC, Edwards HM, Hendrix RD, Doherty BM, Yuede KM, Burstein ES, Cirrito JR. Pimavanserin, a 5HT 2A receptor inverse agonist, rapidly suppresses Aβ production and related pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Neurochem 2021; 156:658-673. [PMID: 33278025 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregation into soluble oligomers and insoluble plaques is a precipitating event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given that synaptic activity can regulate Aβ generation, we postulated that 5HT2A -Rs may regulate Aβ as well. We treated APP/PS1 transgenic mice with the selective 5HT2A inverse agonists M100907 or Pimavanserin systemically and measured brain interstitial fluid (ISF) Aβ levels in real-time using in vivo microdialysis. Both compounds reduced ISF Aβ levels by almost 50% within hours, but had no effect on Aβ levels in 5HT2A -R knock-out mice. The Aβ-lowering effects of Pimavanserin were blocked by extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and NMDA receptor inhibitors. Chronic administration of Pimavanserin by subcutaneous osmotic pump to aged APP/PS1 mice significantly reduced CSF Aβ levels and Aβ pathology and improved cognitive function in these mice. Pimavanserin is FDA-approved to treat Parkinson's disease psychosis, and also has been shown to reduce psychosis in a variety of other dementia subtypes including Alzheimer's disease. These data demonstrate that Pimavanserin may have disease-modifying benefits in addition to its efficacy against neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 560.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M Yuede
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Clare E Wallace
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Todd A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Woodrow D Gardiner
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jane C Hettinger
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hannah M Edwards
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rachel D Hendrix
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brookelyn M Doherty
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kayla M Yuede
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - John R Cirrito
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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8
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Burstein ES. Relevance of 5-HT 2A Receptor Modulation of Pyramidal Cell Excitability for Dementia-Related Psychosis: Implications for Pharmacotherapy. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:727-741. [PMID: 34224112 PMCID: PMC8310514 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00836-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Psychosis occurs across a wide variety of dementias with differing etiologies, including Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia. Pimavanserin, a selective serotonin 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) inverse agonist, has shown promising results in clinical trials by reducing the frequency and/or severity of hallucinations and delusions and the risk of relapse of these symptoms in patients with dementia-related psychosis. A literature review was conducted to identify mechanisms that explain the role of 5-HT2ARs in both the etiology and treatment of dementia-related psychosis. This review revealed that most pathological changes commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases cause one or more of the following events to occur: reduced synaptic contact of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic interneurons with glutamatergic pyramidal cells, reduced cortical innervation from subcortical structures, and altered 5-HT2AR expression levels. Each of these events promotes increased pyramidal cell hyperexcitability and disruption of excitatory/inhibitory balance, facilitating emergence of psychotic behaviors. The brain regions affected by these pathological changes largely coincide with areas expressing high levels of 5-HT2ARs. At the cellular level, 5-HT2ARs are most highly expressed on cortical glutamatergic pyramidal cells, where they regulate pyramidal cell excitability. The common effects of different neurodegenerative diseases on pyramidal cell excitability together with the close anatomical and functional connection of 5-HT2ARs to pyramidal cell excitability may explain why suppressing 5-HT2AR activity could be an effective strategy to treat dementia-related psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan S. Burstein
- Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc, 12830 El Camino Real, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92130 USA
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9
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Magierski R, Sobow T, Schwertner E, Religa D. Pharmacotherapy of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: State of the Art and Future Progress. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1168. [PMID: 32848775 PMCID: PMC7413102 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The core symptoms of different dementia subtypes are the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and its neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). BPSD symptoms may occur at any stage in the case of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas they tend to occur early on in the case of its behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies and are essential for diagnosis. BPSD treatment consists of non-pharmacological as well as pharmacological interventions, with non-pharmacological interactions being suggested as first-line treatment. Agitation, psychotic features, apathy, depression, and anxiety may not respond to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine in AD cases; therefore, antipsychotics, antidepressants, sedative drugs or anxiolytics, and antiepileptic drugs are typically prescribed. However, such management of BPSD can be complicated by hypersensitivity to antipsychotic drugs, as observed in DLB, and a lack of effective pro-cognitive treatment in the case of frontotemporal dementia. The present paper reviews current knowledge of the management of BPSD and its limitations and discusses on-going clinical trials and future therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radoslaw Magierski
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Sobow
- Dialog Therapy Centre, Warsaw & Institute of Psychology, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Emilia Schwertner
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Dorota Religa
- Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Tema Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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10
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Srinivasan S, Tampi RR, Balaram K, Kapoor A. Pimavanserin for the treatment of psychosis in Alzheimer’s disease: A literature review. World J Psychiatry 2020; 10:162-174. [PMID: 32844093 PMCID: PMC7418577 DOI: 10.5498/wjp.v10.i7.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is among the most prevalent forms of dementia in the world and neuropathological studies suggest similar high prevalence of mixed (AD + vascular) dementias. Approximately 25%-50% of individuals with AD develop psychosis sometime during their illness. The presence of psychosis in AD worsens outcomes. Currently there are no United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications for the treatment of psychosis in AD. Pimavanserin, a novel atypical antipsychotic medication, was approved by the FDA for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson disease psychosis and is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of psychosis in AD.
AIM To evaluate the existing literature regarding the use of pimavanserin for treating psychosis among individuals with AD.
METHODS A literature review of clinical studies of pimavanserin treatment for psychosis in individuals with AD was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Trials were identified by systematically searching PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus through October 2019. The 5-point Jadad scoring system was used to assess the methodologic quality of the randomized placebo-controlled trials.
RESULTS A total of 499 citations were retrieved and pooled in EndNote and de-duplicated to 258 citations. This set was uploaded to Covidence for screening. Two separate screeners (Srinivasan S and Tampi RR) evaluated the titles, abstracts, and full text of eligible articles. Of the identified 258 abstracts, 98 articles underwent full text review and 2 publications from 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT) were included in the final analysis. The quality of evidence was assessed to be of good methodologic quality, scoring 4 out of 5 using the 5-point Jadad questionnaire with the Jadad Scoring calculation. This systematic review found only one RCT that evaluated the use of pimavanserin for the treatment of psychosis among individuals with AD. This phase 2 trial resulted in two publications, the second of which was a subgroup analysis from the original study. The evidence from these two publications showed that pimavanserin improves psychotic symptoms among individuals with AD when compared to placebo at week 6.
CONCLUSION Pimavanserin may be a pharmacologic consideration for the treatment for psychosis in AD. Additional RCTs are needed to assess the evidence of effectiveness before pimavanserin is considered a standard treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Srinivasan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science, Palmetto Health USC Medical Group, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC 29203, United States
| | - Rajesh R Tampi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Akron, OH 44307, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, United States
| | - Kripa Balaram
- MD, Department of Psychiatry, MetroHealth, Cleveland, OH 44109, United States
| | - Arushi Kapoor
- Penn Memory Center at the Penn Neuroscience Center, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
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11
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Caraci F, Santagati M, Caruso G, Cannavò D, Leggio GM, Salomone S, Drago F. New antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of agitation and psychosis in Alzheimer's disease: focus on brexpiprazole and pimavanserin. F1000Res 2020; 9. [PMID: 32695312 PMCID: PMC7344175 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.22662.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are symptoms of disturbed perception, mood, behavior, and thought content that occurred frequently. These symptoms, which include apathy, depression, anxiety, psychosis, agitation, and aggression, can serve as predictors of and early clinical diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are common precipitants of institutional care. Agitation and psychosis are associated with accelerated disease progression and increased tau phosphorylation in patients with AD. Current guidelines recommend the use of second-generation antipsychotics for the treatment of agitation and psychosis in AD, but only after first-line non-pharmacological interventions and for no longer than 12 weeks because long-term use of these drugs is associated with an increased risk of mortality and an increased frequency of cerebrovascular events. Therefore, new antipsychotic drugs with improved efficacy and safety are needed as an alternative to current antipsychotic drugs. In this report, we discuss some of the most relevant advances in the field of agitation and psychosis in AD and focus on the recent positive clinical evidence observed with two new antipsychotics drugs: brexpiprazole and pimavanserin. Brexpiprazole is a receptor partial agonist (D2, D3, 5-HT1A), receptor antagonist (5-HT2A/B, α1B/α2C) according to the neuroscience-based nomenclature. Two recent phase III clinical trials have shown that brexpiprazole 2 mg/day is effective for the treatment of agitation in patients with AD and has an improved tolerability and safety profile compared with currently available second-generation antipsychotics. Pimavanserin is a receptor antagonist (5-HT2A, 5-HT2C) that has been given market authorization for psychosis occurring in Parkinson's disease. Recent phase II studies suggest that this drug is effective in AD patients with more severe psychosis, although further long-term studies are needed to better define the efficacy and long-term safety profile of pimavanserin for the treatment of psychosis in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018, Troina, Italy
| | - Mario Santagati
- ASP3 Catania, Department of Mental Health, Alzheimer Psychogeriatric Center Corso Italia 234, 95127, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Via Conte Ruggero 73, 94018, Troina, Italy
| | - Dario Cannavò
- ASP3 Catania, Department of Mental Health, Alzheimer Psychogeriatric Center Corso Italia 234, 95127, Catania, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Fink HA, Linskens EJ, MacDonald R, Silverman PC, McCarten JR, Talley KMC, Forte ML, Desai PJ, Nelson VA, Miller MA, Hemmy LS, Brasure M, Taylor BC, Ng W, Ouellette JM, Sheets KM, Wilt TJ, Butler M. Benefits and Harms of Prescription Drugs and Supplements for Treatment of Clinical Alzheimer-Type Dementia. Ann Intern Med 2020; 172:656-668. [PMID: 32340037 DOI: 10.7326/m19-3887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effects of drug treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia (CATD) are uncertain. PURPOSE To summarize evidence on the effects of prescription drugs and supplements for CATD treatment. DATA SOURCES Electronic bibliographic databases (inception to November 2019), ClinicalTrials.gov (to November 2019), and systematic review bibliographies. STUDY SELECTION English-language trials of prescription drug and supplement treatment in older adults with CATD that report cognition, function, global measures, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), or harms. Minimum treatment was 24 weeks (≥2 weeks for selected BPSD). DATA EXTRACTION Studies with low or medium risk of bias (ROB) were analyzed. Two reviewers rated ROB. One reviewer extracted data; another verified extraction accuracy. DATA SYNTHESIS Fifty-five studies reporting non-BPSD outcomes (most ≤26 weeks) and 12 reporting BPSD (most ≤12 weeks) were analyzed. Across CATD severity, mostly low-strength evidence suggested that, compared with placebo, cholinesterase inhibitors produced small average improvements in cognition (median standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.30 [range, 0.24 to 0.52]), no difference to small improvement in function (median SMD, 0.19 [range, -0.10 to 0.22]), no difference in the likelihood of at least moderate improvement in global clinical impression (median absolute risk difference, 4% [range, 2% to 4%]), and increased withdrawals due to adverse events. In adults with moderate to severe CATD receiving cholinesterase inhibitors, low- to insufficient-strength evidence suggested that, compared with placebo, add-on memantine inconsistently improved cognition and improved global clinical impression but not function. Evidence was mostly insufficient about prescription drugs for BPSD and about supplements for all outcomes. LIMITATION Most drugs had few trials without high ROB, especially for supplements, active drug comparisons, BPSD, and longer trials. CONCLUSION Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine slightly reduced short-term cognitive decline, and cholinesterase inhibitors slightly reduced reported functional decline, but differences versus placebo were of uncertain clinical importance. Evidence was mostly insufficient on drug treatment of BPSD and on supplements for all outcomes. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (PROSPERO: CRD42018117897).
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard A Fink
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.F., J.R.M., L.S.H., B.C.T., T.J.W.)
| | - Eric J Linskens
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota (E.J.L., R.M., M.A.M.)
| | - Roderick MacDonald
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota (E.J.L., R.M., M.A.M.)
| | | | - J Riley McCarten
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.F., J.R.M., L.S.H., B.C.T., T.J.W.)
| | - Kristine M C Talley
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
| | - Mary L Forte
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
| | - Priyanka J Desai
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
| | - Victoria A Nelson
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
| | - Margaret A Miller
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota (E.J.L., R.M., M.A.M.)
| | - Laura S Hemmy
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.F., J.R.M., L.S.H., B.C.T., T.J.W.)
| | - Michelle Brasure
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
| | - Brent C Taylor
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.F., J.R.M., L.S.H., B.C.T., T.J.W.)
| | - Weiwen Ng
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
| | - Jeannine M Ouellette
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
| | - Kerry M Sheets
- Hennepin Healthcare and Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.S.)
| | - Timothy J Wilt
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (H.A.F., J.R.M., L.S.H., B.C.T., T.J.W.)
| | - Mary Butler
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (K.M.T., M.L.F., P.J.D., V.A.N., M.B., W.N., J.M.O., M.B.)
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Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) Interactions Involving Atypical Antipsychotics are Common in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Treated for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia. PHARMACY 2020; 8:pharmacy8020063. [PMID: 32276526 PMCID: PMC7355621 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy8020063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and comorbidities often necessitates the concomitant use of antipsychotics and non-antipsychotic drugs, thereby potentiating the risk for drug–drug interactions (DDIs). The primary objective of our study was to identify potentially clinically relevant cytochrome P450 (CYP)-mediated DDIs involving antipsychotics among participants enrolled in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) with BPSD. Additionally, we wanted to determine the prevalence of antipsychotic use in this population. The study included 10,001 PACE participants. The practice setting used a proprietary clinical decision support system (CDSS) to analyze simultaneous multidrug interactions. A retrospective analysis of pharmacy claims data was conducted to identify DDIs involving antipsychotics prescribed for BPSD, using snapshots of medication profiles paired with the CDSS. Of the participants who met inclusion criteria, 1190 (11.9%) were prescribed an antipsychotic; of those, 1071 (90.0%) were prescribed an atypical antipsychotic. Aripiprazole commonly caused (being a perpetrator drug 94.6% of the time) potential DDIs with antidepressants (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine, mirtazapine), opioids (e.g., hydrocodone, oxycodone, tramadol) and metoprolol via the CYP2D6 isoform. Risperidone commonly caused (85.7%) potential DDIs with donepezil, lamotrigine and trazodone via the CYP3A4 isoform. Quetiapine exclusively suffered (100%) from potential DDIs with amlodipine, buspirone, omeprazole or topiramate via the CYP3A4 isoform. Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed to PACE participants for BPSD treatment and they may interact with other drugs used to treat comorbidities. A thorough review of concomitant medications will help mitigate the likelihood of potentially dangerous CYP-mediated DDIs involving antipsychotics.
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Cummings J, Ballard C, Tariot P, Owen R, Foff E, Youakim J, Norton J, Stankovic S. Pimavanserin: Potential Treatment For Dementia-Related Psychosis. JPAD-JOURNAL OF PREVENTION OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE 2019; 5:253-258. [PMID: 30298184 PMCID: PMC6413822 DOI: 10.14283/jpad.2018.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Psychosis is common across dementia types with a prevalence of 20% to 70%. Currently, no pharmacologic treatment is approved for dementia-related psychosis. Atypical antipsychotics are frequently used to treat these disorders, despite significant safety concerns. Pimavanserin, a selective 5-HT2A inverse agonist/antagonist, was approved in the U.S. for treating hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP). Patients in the pimavanserin group experienced a significant (p=0.001) improvement in Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms - Parkinson's disease (SAPS-PD) scores vs. placebo. In a subgroup analysis of patients with cognitive impairment (MMSE score ≥21 but ≤24), the observed improvement on the SAPS-PD with pimavanserin (N=50) was also significant (p=0.002) and larger than in the overall study population without an adverse effect on cognition. In a Phase 2 study with pimavanserin in Alzheimer's disease psychosis, pimavanserin significantly (p=0.045) improved psychosis at Week 6 vs. placebo on the NPI-NH Psychosis Score (PS). In a prespecified subgroup of patients with a baseline NPI-NH PS ≥12, a substantively larger treatment effect (p=0.011) was observed vs. participants with NPI-NH PS <12. The results of these studies in cognitively impaired patients with PDP provided the scientific foundation for an ongoing study of pimavanserin for treating patients with dementia-related psychosis associated with the most common neurodegenerative disorders. The study uses a relapse-prevention design with the endpoint of time-to-relapse of psychosis to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of pimavanserin as a potential treatment for hallucinations and delusions of dementia-related psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cummings
- Jeffrey Cummings MD, ScD, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave, Las Vegas, NV, USA,
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