Factors of Rapid Cognitive Decline in Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease

Rapid Cognitive Decline (RCD) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is associated with a worse disease progression. There is no consensual predictor of RCD and only a few studies have focused on RCD in late-onset dementia, the most common form of AD.

To identify the predictors of RCD, in a population of community-dwelling patients with recently diagnosed late onset AD.

Community-dwelling subjects aged >75 consulting for the first time in Old Age Memory outpatient center from 2009 to 2012 were considered. All patients underwent a standardized clinical dementia investigation. Patients were classified as rapid decliners when they demonstrated a loss of 3 points or greater in MMSE during the first six months.

130 patients were included (42 males, 88 females, mean ages 82.7±4.58). The average baseline MMSE score was 23.36±3.78. In regression analysis, the Free Recall Scores, categorical fluency scores were the most highly predictive of RCD.

These results are important for the design of clinical trials and also, in clinical practice, for both physicians and families in planning long-term care.