The frequency, nature, context, and caregivers' reactions to aggressive behavior in 213 dementia patients residing in the community was studied. Aggression was reported in 57.2% of the patients and in 10.6% of the caregivers. Predictors of patient aggression were greater frequency of behavior and memory problems, premorbid aggression, and a more troubled premorbid social relationship between patient and caregiver. Patient aggression predicted the decision to discontinue home care.

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We studied the efficacy and safety of oral tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) combined with lecithin in 52 patients with Alzheimer's disease. The maximal tolerated dose of THA (up to 100 mg per day) was determined during an eight-week titration period, after which the tolerated dose of THA or placebo was given during two sequential randomized periods of treatment lasting eight weeks each. Highly purified lecithin (4.7 g per day) was administered during all phases of the study. Efficacy was expressed in terms of scores on the Mini-Mental State (MMS) test, the modified MMS test, the Hierarchic Dementia Scale, the Rapid Disability Rating Scale-II, and the behavioral scale of Reisberg et al. Safety was assessed by careful clinical monitoring as well as serial measurements of liver aminotransferases. Forty-six patients completed the titration period, and 39 completed the double-blind period, during which only the MMS score showed a small but significant increase (P less than 0.05) after four weeks of treatment with THA. Autonomic side effects of THA were common but mild. Reversible elevations of serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels to three or more times the upper limit of normal occurred in 17 percent of patients; most of the patients affected were women. A liver biopsy performed in one patient showed resolving focal liver-cell necrosis. These studies fail to demonstrate a significant clinical benefit of THA given orally in a maximal dose of 100 mg per day over a period of eight weeks in combination with lecithin.

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