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Dermatoglyphic patterns in dementia of the Alzheimer type: a case-control study
C Berr1, N Okra-Podrabinek, D Feteanu
1INSERM U360, Epidemiological Research in Neurology and Psychopathology, Villejuif, France.
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
|October 1, 1992
Summary
Digital and palmar dermatoglyphics showed no significant differences between Alzheimer dementia patients and healthy elderly controls. This study found no evidence of specific dermatoglyphic patterns associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Dermatoglyphics
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Gerontology
Background:
- Dermatoglyphics, the study of fingerprints and palm prints, has been explored for potential links to various medical conditions.
- Previous sporadic reports suggested possible dermatoglyphic similarities between Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare digital and palmar dermatoglyphic patterns in women with Alzheimer type dementia and in mentally healthy elderly women.
- To investigate if specific dermatoglyphic features, similar to those in Down's syndrome, are present in Alzheimer's disease patients.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 82 women diagnosed with Alzheimer type dementia and 76 healthy elderly women (≥85 years).
- Finger and palm prints were collected using the ink method and analyzed by two independent, blinded examiners.
- Dermatoglyphic features included fingerprint patterns, palmar flexion creases, axial triradii, hypothenar patterns, and main line terminations.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in the studied dermatoglyphic patterns between the Alzheimer dementia group and the control group.
- The study did not find high frequencies of dermatoglyphic features commonly associated with Down's syndrome in the Alzheimer's patients.
Conclusions:
- This study, on a large sample of Alzheimer dementia patients, found no evidence supporting the presence of specific dermatoglyphic patterns similar to those seen in Down's syndrome.
- Dermatoglyphic analysis does not appear to be a reliable indicator for diagnosing Alzheimer type dementia or identifying specific associated patterns.