Neurological signs in Alzheimer's disease

Neurological signs were assessed in 178 patients satisfying NINCDS/ADRDA criteria for Alzheimer's disease. A snout reflex was present in 41%, extrapyramidal signs in 12%, drug-induced extrapyramidal signs in 3%, myoclonus in 5%, and a history of epileptic fits in 3%. A grasp reflex, extrapyramidal signs and symptoms were associated with severe cognitive impairment. On CT scanning, extrapyramidal signs were associated with increased 3rd ventricular size and basal ganglia calcification, a grasp reflex with frontal lobe atrophy and a history of epilepsy with left temporal lobe atrophy. Lateral ventricular size was greater in patients developing a grasp reflex during a 12 month follow-up. Extrapyramidal signs and primitive reflexes were associated with a higher mortality.