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Pharmacological effects of yokukansan on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Author(s) -
Egashira Nobuaki,
Iwasaki Katsunori
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
traditional and kampo medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2053-4515
DOI - 10.1002/tkm2.1226
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , kampo , context (archaeology) , psychiatry , disease , alternative medicine , paleontology , pathology , biology
Background Cognitive dysfunction is often accompanied by behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of senile dementia. BPSD include agitation, aggression, and hallucinations. BPSD have a serious effect on the quality of life of dementia patients and their caregivers, but effective drug therapy for BPSD has not been identified as yet. Typical and atypical antipsychotics that are used for the treatment of BPSD are known to cause a variety of extrapyramidal adverse events. Yokukansan (YKS, Yi‐gan san in Chinese) is a Japanese traditional herbal (kampo) medicine that is used to alleviate night‐crying and irritation in children, as well as to treat neurosis and insomnia. It is currently also used to treat BPSD. Methods In this review, we summarize the pharmacological effects of YKS in the context of BPSD. Conclusion YKS is expected to be useful in treating and/or preventing BPSD.