Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
04:13
Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
Delusions and behavioral disturbances in cognitively impaired elderly persons
M S Lachs1, M Becker, A P Siegal
1Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Delusions in dementia patients are linked to more behavioral issues like agitation and insomnia. Cognitive function was similar between delusional and non-delusional groups.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Dementia is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by cognitive decline.
- Behavioral and psychological symptoms are common in dementia, significantly impacting patient care and quality of life.
- The presence and impact of delusions in dementia patients require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cognitive function between dementia patients with and without delusions.
- To determine the prevalence of selected behavioral problems in delusional versus non-delusional dementia patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective medical record review of 114 consecutive dementia patients at an outpatient geriatric assessment center.
- Delusions were identified from consultation reports.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).
Main Results:
- Delusions were present in 25.5% of the dementia patient cohort.
- Delusional dementia patients exhibited a higher prevalence of behavioral disturbances, including agitation, aggression, incontinence, wandering, and insomnia.
- Cognitive function, as measured by MMSE, was comparable between delusional and non-delusional groups, though a trend suggested delusions were more common in moderate cognitive impairment.
Conclusions:
- Delusions in dementia are associated with a greater occurrence of various behavioral problems.
- Further research is necessary to elucidate the specific role of delusions in the development of disruptive behaviors in dementia.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
01:26Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by a range of symptoms that significantly impact cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation. Among these, the positive symptoms stand out as they involve the addition or exaggeration of normal mental functions, deviating markedly from typical behavior and perception. Hallucinations and delusions are prominent positive symptoms, each profoundly affecting the individual's experience of reality.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations in...
Hallucinations
Hallucinations in...
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
01:30Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...