To address the development of studies for behavioral problems in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), a framework is used that includes the patient, the caregiver (formal or informal), the patient-caregiver interaction, the environment, the organization of care within institutions, and systems for the delivery of care to patients and caregivers. Within each of these components, there will be indicated the areas that are ready for testing using a clinical trial design and the areas that need further study using less controlled designs. Finally, recommendations will be made that address all components of the framework.