Abstract
Objective:
Aggressive behavior in dementia is a major clinical management problem.
Method:
Postmortem brain tissue was obtained from 24 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and 25 comparison cases. [3H] Prazosin binding to alpha1-AdR was determined.
Results:
Aggressive behavior was significantly correlated with alpha1-adrenoceptor number in patients with AD (R(s)=0.454, N=24). Furthermore, patients receiving ongoing neuroleptics had significantly higher Bmax for [3H] prazosin (21 +/- 2, N=9) than those who were not (16 +/- 1, N=15).
Conclusions:
Upregulation of alpha1-AdR is associated with aggressive behavior and chronic treatment with neuroleptic medication.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aggression / psychology*
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Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology*
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Alzheimer Disease / pathology
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Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
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Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
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Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
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Binding Sites
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Cell Count
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Cerebellum / drug effects
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Cerebellum / pathology
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Frontal Lobe / drug effects
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Frontal Lobe / pathology
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Humans
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Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
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Prazosin / adverse effects*
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Prazosin / therapeutic use
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Prospective Studies
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Psychomotor Agitation / drug therapy*
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Psychomotor Agitation / epidemiology*
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Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / drug effects
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Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / metabolism*
Substances
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Antipsychotic Agents
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Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1
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Prazosin