Troubles délirants d'origine toxique du sujet âgé

Delirium is a frequent symptom in elderly patients. It often concerns psychiatric diseases or dementia-related symptoms. However, delirious diseases may also be linked to the consumption of psychoactive substances. These disorders can appear notably with the use or misuse of such substances, or at the time of their withdrawal in dependent people. Target substances are first of all alcohol and tranquillizers (benzodiazepine at first) in our country. This paper presents a review of the occurrence of delirious disorders associated with acute use of psychoactive substances, with withdrawal among dependents subjects, or with late after-effects induced by these substances.