Affiliations: Neuroimaging Laboratory, Fondazione IRCCS Santa Lucia,
Rome, Italy | Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS
Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy | Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome Tor
Vergata, Rome, Italy | Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Unit of
Neurology University of Brescia, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia,
Italy | Infermi Hospital, Rimini, Italy | Centro Regionale Alzheimer, UOC Neurologia Ospedale
Rho-Passirana, Rho, Italy
Note: [] Corresponding author: Laura Serra, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Santa
Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179 Rome, Italy. Tel.: +39 06 51501547; Fax: +39 06
51501213; E-mail: l.serra@hsantalucia.it
Abstract: Background and aims: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative
disorder in which the patients can exhibit some behavioural disturbances in
addition to cognitive impairment. The aims of the present study were to
investigate the relationship between severity and rate of decline of the
cognitive and behavioural impairment in patient with AD. Methods: 54 AD patients were assessed at baseline and after 12 months with the Mental
Deterioration Battery (MDB), the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive
(ADAS-Cog) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-10). Results: MDB was more accurate than ADAS-Cog in the early diagnosis of AD. Conversely, ADAS-Cog
was more sensitive at revealing the progression of cognitive decline.
Depression, Apathy and Anxiety are the most frequent and severe behavioural
disturbances at baseline. At follow-up Delusions and Irritability increased
significantly. Significant correlations were observed between severity of
cognitive impairment and behavioural disorders both at baseline and in the
progression rate passing from T0 to T12. Conclusions: Severity and progression rate of behavioural and cognitive alterations in patients with AD
are significantly associated.
