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Personality changes in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review
Tarja-Brita Robins Wahlin1, Gerard J Byrne
1School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Tarja-Brita.Robins.Wahlin@ki.se
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
|September 10, 2011
Summary
Personality changes, particularly increased Neuroticism and decreased Conscientiousness, are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD). These alterations may serve as early indicators for timely AD diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Personality changes frequently manifest in Alzheimer's disease (AD), sometimes preceding cognitive and mood alterations.
- These personality shifts are indicative of progressive brain damage, with varied patterns observed in dementia.
- Early identification of personality changes could facilitate prompt diagnosis of AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing research on personality alterations in individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Conducted comprehensive searches across major databases (PubMed, Medline, etc.) up to November 2009.
- Included studies focusing on informant-rated personality traits within the Five-Factor Model (Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness).
- Quantified trait changes by calculating the mean score difference before and after AD diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Observed a significant increase in Neuroticism (1-2 SD) and a comparable decrease in Extraversion.
- Found consistent reductions in Openness and Agreeableness.
- Noted a substantial decrease in Conscientiousness (2-3 SD), with remarkable consistency across studies.
Conclusions:
- Neuroticism and Conscientiousness demonstrate the most pronounced changes in dementia.
- These specific personality traits show potential as early diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease.
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