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Dementias, psychological tests, and neurotransmitters
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|December 1, 1985
Summary
This study differentiates alcoholic dementia using cognitive tests and profile analysis. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed elevated 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid in demented patients compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Dementia is a significant health concern with various subtypes.
- Accurate differentiation between dementia types is crucial for effective management.
- Neurochemical markers and cognitive assessments are used to study dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of cognitive assessments and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in differentiating dementia subtypes.
- To compare intelligence quotient (IQ), dementia quotients, and objective profile analysis in multi-infarct dementia (MID), primary degenerative dementia (PDD), and alcoholic dementia (Alc. D).
- To measure homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in CSF of demented patients and controls.
Main Methods:
- Cognitive assessment using the Hungarian standardized version of WAIS (MAWI), including verbal and practical quotients (VQ/PQ) and Hewson Index 5.
- Objective profile analysis of MAWI subtests.
- Measurement of HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations in lumbar CSF.
- Comparison of data between dementia patient groups (MID, PDD, Alc. D, presenile dementia of Alzheimer's type (PDAT), senile dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT)) and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Alcoholic dementia was distinguishable from other dementia types primarily through VQ/PQ values, Hewson Index 5, and MAWI profile analysis.
- Multi-infarct dementia (MID) showed limited differentiation from primary degenerative dementia (PDD) based on overall cognitive scores, but MAWI subtests 1 and 3 aided in differentiation.
- No significant decrease in HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations was observed in the CSF of demented patients compared to controls; however, an elevation in 5-HIAA concentration was noted.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive assessment, particularly MAWI profile analysis, can aid in differentiating alcoholic dementia and potentially MID from PDD.
- CSF HVA and 5-HIAA levels may not serve as reliable markers for differentiating dementia subtypes in this study, with an unexpected increase in 5-HIAA observed.