Personality Changes With Dementia From the Informant Perspective: New Data and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Cognitive Neurology
• Psychology and Behavioral Science

Background:

• Personality changes are increasingly recognized in aging and neurodegenerative conditions.
• Understanding these shifts is crucial for diagnosis and care in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate personality alterations in individuals with MCI or dementia as reported by family informants.
• To synthesize findings from a new dataset with existing literature through meta-analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized NEO Personality Inventory to assess five major personality dimensions and facets.
• Combined data from a new sample (n=50) with a meta-analysis of 18 published studies (n=542).
• Searched PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant literature up to June 2018.

Main Results:

• Consistent personality shifts observed from premorbid to current states in individuals with cognitive impairment.
• Significant declines in conscientiousness (self-discipline, competence) and extraversion (energy, assertiveness).
• Notable increases in neuroticism (vulnerability to stress); medication effects and MCI vs. dementia differences noted.

Conclusions:

• Replicable evidence supports substantial personality changes in dementia, aligning with diagnostic criteria.
• Suggests potential for personality change patterns to aid differential diagnosis and treatment strategies.
• Highlights the need for prospective, multi-report assessments to track personality evolution across dementia stages.