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Motor impersistence in Alzheimer's disease
O L Lopez1, J T Becker, F Boller
1Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Abstract:
We studied motor impersistence syndrome (MIS) in patients with a clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD). MIS was found in 16 (10%) of the 166 patients examined; all 16 were moderately to severely demented (Mini-Mental State scores ranging from 17 to 2). We compared the neuropsychological features between these AD patients with MIS and AD patients without MIS matched by the severity of dementia. We found no significant difference between the two groups in terms of orientation, memory, language, attention, and visuoconstructional and visuoperceptual abilities. Buccolingual and limb praxis also failed to reveal differences between the groups. Although MIS has been related to visuoconstructional disorders and apraxia, the phenomenon as it occurs in AD seems not to be related to any specific cognitive domain.
Insights
Motor impersistence syndrome (MIS) affects 10% of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients, primarily those with moderate to severe dementia. This condition does not correlate with specific cognitive deficits in AD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Motor impersistence syndrome (MIS) is a condition characterized by the inability to sustain voluntary motor actions.
- Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder impacting memory and cognitive functions.
- The relationship between MIS and cognitive domains in AD patients requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of motor impersistence syndrome (MIS) in patients with probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
- To compare the neuropsychological profiles of AD patients with MIS versus those without MIS, matched for dementia severity.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 166 patients with probable AD was screened for MIS.
- Patients diagnosed with MIS were compared to a matched group of AD patients without MIS.
- Neuropsychological assessments included orientation, memory, language, attention, visuoconstructional abilities, visuoperceptual abilities, and praxis.
Main Results:
- MIS was identified in 16 (10%) of the 166 AD patients, all exhibiting moderate to severe dementia.
- No significant differences were found between AD patients with MIS and those without MIS in orientation, memory, language, attention, visuoconstructional, or visuoperceptual abilities.
- Praxis assessments (buccolingual and limb) also showed no significant differences between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Motor impersistence syndrome occurs in a subset of Alzheimer's Disease patients, particularly those with advanced dementia.
- In Alzheimer's Disease, MIS does not appear to be associated with specific deficits in major cognitive domains or praxis.
- These findings suggest that MIS in AD may arise from mechanisms independent of the cognitive impairments typically assessed.