Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
08:29
Symmetric Bihemispheric Postmortem Brain Cutting to Study Healthy and Pathological Brain Conditions in Humans
Published on: December 18, 2016
Neuropsychiatric profiles in dementia.
David K Johnson1, Amber S Watts, Benjamin A Chapin
1Gerontology Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA. dkj@ku.edu
Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders
|November 17, 2011
Summary
Neuropsychiatric symptoms vary significantly across dementia types, including Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia. Understanding these distinct symptom profiles aids in managing noncognitive aspects of dementia.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in dementia but vary by type.
- Identifying these patterns is crucial for effective patient management.
- Previous research has not comprehensively compared symptom profiles across multiple dementia subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare neuropsychiatric symptom patterns across Alzheimer disease (AD), vascular dementia (VAD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Parkinson disease dementia (PDD).
- To examine symptom profiles in mixed dementia groups (AD/VAD, AD/DLB).
- To identify a common psychiatric symptom model across dementia types.
Main Methods:
- Confirmatory factor analysis of Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire data.
- Analysis of 2,963 individuals from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set.
- Comparison of symptom severity ratings for individuals with Clinical Dementia Rating scores ≥1.
Main Results:
- A shared 3-factor model (mood, psychotic, frontal symptoms) was identified across all dementia types.
- Vascular dementia showed the highest symptom levels; Parkinson disease dementia showed the lowest.
- Alzheimer disease exhibited moderate symptom levels; DLB and mixed dementias had complex profiles.
- Depressed mood was the most prevalent symptom in mild dementia diagnoses.
Conclusions:
- Distinct neuropsychiatric symptom profiles characterize different dementia types.
- These profiles offer valuable insights into the noncognitive symptoms of dementia.
- Understanding these differences can inform targeted interventions and care strategies.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
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...
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
01:23Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...