Defining Alzheimer's Disease Agitation: Diagnostic Criteria, Symptoms, and Disease Course

Kavita Nair leads the discussion on defining Alzheimer's disease agitation. Anton Porsteinsson outlines IPA provisional diagnostic criteria (2015, made permanent 2023): agitation must occur in context of cognitive impairment, include ≥1 of 3 behavioral manifestations (excessive motor activity, verbal aggression, physical aggression), persist ≥2 weeks, cause distress and disability, and not be attributable to another condition. Agitation can present as early as pre-dementia stages (MCI) and typically peaks during moderate to early severe stages.