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[Neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease]

Pedro Abizanda1, Esther López-Jiménez, Beatriz López-Ramos

  • 1Sección de Geriatría, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, España. pabizanda@sescam.jccm.es

Revista Espanola De Geriatria Y Gerontologia
|August 8, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specific NPS like delusions and apathy can help differentiate between MCI and AD in older adults.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Psychiatry

Context:

  • Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are prevalent in elderly individuals.
  • Distinguishing between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clinically significant.
  • The role of NPS in differential diagnosis for cognitive decline requires further elucidation.

Purpose:

  • To describe the prevalence of NPS in elderly patients with MCI or AD.
  • To assess the relevance of specific NPS in differentiating between MCI and AD.
  • To investigate the association between NPS and white matter ischemic lesions (WMIL).

Summary:

  • A study of 179 elderly patients (MCI n=90, AD n=89) found NPS in 74.4% of MCI and 92.1% of AD patients.
  • Depression and apathy were the most common NPS in both groups.
  • The presence of any NPS increased the odds of an AD diagnosis (OR 3.6), with delusions, apathy, disinhibition, and aberrant motor behavior being independent predictors.

Impact:

  • NPS are frequent in both MCI and mild-to-moderate AD.
  • Certain NPS significantly aid in the differential diagnosis between MCI and AD.
  • Findings contribute to improved diagnostic accuracy and patient management in geriatric cognitive disorders.

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