[Comparative study of neurobehavioral function in the elderly between in Kahoku and Yaku]

A comparative study of neurobehavioral functions in the elderly was carried out between two Japanese rural towns, Kahoku and in Yaku. To evaluate of neurobehavioral functions, we used 1) Mini Mental State Examination (MMS), 2) Hasegawa Dementia Scale Revised (HDSR), 3) Kohs block design test, 4) Visuospatial cognitive performance score (VCPS), 5) Button Score (Button-S), 6) Up & Go test, and 7) Functional reach (FR). A questionnaire about ADL, information-related function and lifestyle was also done. Subjects consisted of all the eligible 332 elderly aged over 75 in Kahoku and 194 elderly aged over 75 in Yaku. In Kahoku, each function test had a significant correlation with age. However, in Yaku, the Up & Go, FR, MMS and HDSR results showed no significant correlation with age. Scores in cognitive function tests such as MMS, VCPS, and the Kohs test were better in kahoku than in Yaku, although scores in behavioral function tests such as FR were better in Yaku than in Kahoku. MMS, HDSR and Kohs tests significantly correlated with information-related function while Button-S, Up Go and FR tests had significant correlation one with ADL in both areas. Scores on function tests were better in the living-alone group and the group who had a daily work than in other groups in Kahoku. However, differences in scores in function tests between these two types of groups failed to reach a level of significance in Yaku. These data suggested that the difference in life-style influenced neurobehavioral functions in the elderly.