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Updated: Dec 22, 2025

Automated, Long-term Behavioral Assay for Cognitive Functions in Multiple Genetic Models of Alzheimer's Disease, Using IntelliCage
Published on: August 4, 2018
Association between executive function and the evolution of behavioral disorders in Alzheimer's disease
Isabelle Rouch1,2, Catherine Padovan3,4, Nawèle Boublay2
1Memory Clinical and Research Center of Saint-Etienne (CMRR), Neurology Unit, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
Objective:
This study was aimed at evaluating the association between cognitive functioning and the occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods/Design:
The population is derived from the PACO cohort, including 237 patients with prodromal or mild AD. A neuropsychological tests battery exploring verbal and visual memory, language, attention, and executive functions was performed at baseline. BPSD were assessed at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up with neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI).
Results:
Lower baseline performance on Stroop test interference score was associated with higher subsequent overall NPI scores (P = .006), subscores of anxiety/depression (P = .03), and apathy inventory (P = .01). Conversely, other executive functions, verbal or visual memory, and language performances were not associated with a higher risk of BPSD.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that poorer inhibition performance would be associated with a higher risk of 18-month BPSD occurrence, including anxiety, depression, and apathy. A better knowledge of the predictive factors of the BPSDs would make it possible to better identify the patients at risk, to propose preventive strategies and an earlier adapted care. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:-, 2020.
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