Affiliations: [a] Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0677, USA | [b] Dept. of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0677, USA
Correspondence:
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Dept. PM, Box 980661, 1223 E. Marshall St., 4th Floor, Richmond, VA 23298-0677, USA. Tel.: +1 804 828 0861; Fax: +1 804 828 5074; E-mail: dmburnett@hsc.vcu.edu
Abstract: Agitation during brain injury rehabilitation remains a significant impediment to expedient and effective care. While health care providers differ in their definition of agitation, it is agreed that treatment is usually best achieved using an interdisciplinary approach inclusive of: physiatry, psychiatry and rehabilitation professionals. Neuroleptic drugs have been used to effectively treat agitation but have a side effect profile that may have long-term consequences on cognition and motor recovery. This literature review presents the typical and atypical neuroleptics used to treat agitation, research in support of their use, guidelines for drug selection, and special considerations for trauma-related agitation in the elderly brain injured population.
