Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
06:50
Marble Burying and Nestlet Shredding as Tests of Repetitive, Compulsive-like Behaviors in Mice
Published on: December 24, 2013
Stereotypic behaviors in degenerative dementias
S Prioni1, V Fetoni, F Barocco
1Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy.
Journal of Neurology
|June 1, 2012
Summary
Stereotypies, involuntary behaviors, are common in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), but less so in Alzheimer's disease (AD). These behaviors may stem from damaged brain circuits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Stereotypies are involuntary behaviors often observed in frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
- Their prevalence and characteristics in other neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) remain understudied.
- Understanding stereotypies across different dementias can offer insights into underlying neuropathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and types of stereotypies in patients with FTD, AD, PSP, and PDD.
- To explore the relationship between stereotypies and cognitive, behavioral, and motor impairments in these patient groups.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter observational study involving 155 outpatients with AD, FTD, PSP, and PDD.
- Assessment of stereotypies using the Stereotypy Rating Inventory.
- Evaluation of cognition, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and motor function using standardized scales (MMSE, FAB, NPI, UPDRS-III, ADL).
Main Results:
- Stereotypies were present in all dementia groups studied.
- Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) showed the highest frequency of single-domain stereotypies.
- FTD exhibited the highest frequency of multi-domain stereotypies, with movement stereotypies being most common across all groups.
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients displayed fewer stereotypies compared to other dementia types.
Conclusions:
- Stereotypies are not exclusive to FTD and are also prevalent in PSP and PDD, albeit less common in AD.
- The findings suggest that stereotypies in these conditions may be linked to dysfunctional striato-frontal circuits.
- Further research into stereotypies can aid in understanding the diverse clinical presentations of neurodegenerative diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...
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.
01:22Dementia 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...
01:29Alzheimer 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...
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
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...