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Psychopathology and cognitive decline in dementia
D Becker1, M Hershkowitz, N Maidler
1Department of Psychiatry, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Psychopathology is common in dementia patients, affecting 83% of those studied. While overall cognitive decline didn't strongly correlate with psychopathology, impaired spatial orientation was linked to hallucinations, suggesting a shared neurological basis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Psychopathology is frequently observed in patients with dementia.
- Understanding the relationship between cognitive impairment and psychopathology is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between the degree and quality of cognitive impairment and the presence and severity of psychopathology in dementia patients.
- To explore potential common neuropathological substrates linking specific cognitive deficits with psychopathological symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-four outpatients with dementia were assessed using the Mental Status Questionnaire for cognitive function.
- Psychopathology was evaluated using the BEHAVE-AD Reisberg questionnaire.
- Statistical analysis was performed to determine correlations between cognitive and psychopathological parameters.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of psychopathology was observed, affecting up to 83% of the patients.
- No significant overall correlation was found between cognitive grading scores and the presence of psychopathology.
- A significant correlation emerged between declined spatial orientation and the occurrence of hallucinations.
Conclusions:
- Psychopathology is a common comorbidity in dementia, including Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia.
- While general cognitive decline may not directly correlate with psychopathology, specific deficits like impaired spatial orientation may be linked to certain symptoms, such as hallucinations.
- The observed correlation suggests a potential shared neuropathological basis for impaired spatial orientation and hallucinations in dementia.