Risk Factors, Neuroanatomical Correlates, and Outcome of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Poulin, Stéphane P.a; b; * | Bergeron, Davida | Dickerson, Bradford C.c; d; e; f; g | for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative*; 1
Affiliations: [a] Clinique Interdisciplinaire de la Mémoire, Centre Hositalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec City, QC, Canada | [b] Centre de Recherche de l’Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec (CRISUMQ), QC, Canada | [c] Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA | [d] Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA | [e] Department of Frontotemporal Dementia Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA | [f] Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA | [g] Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Stéphane P. Poulin, MD, Clinique Interdisiplinaire de la Mémoire, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 1401 18th street, Quebec City, G1J 1Z4, QC, Canada. Tel.: +1 418 649 5980; Fax: +1 418 649 5981; E-mail: stephane.poulin@fmed.ulaval.ca.
Note: [1] Data used in the preparation of this article were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database (http://www.loni.ucla.eduADNI). As such, the investigators within the ADNI contributed to the design and implementation of ADNI and/or provided data but did not participate in analysis or writing of this report. A complete listing of ADNI investigators can be found at: http://adni.loni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/how_to_apply/ADNI_Acknowledgement_List.pdf
Abstract: Background:An integrative model of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is lacking. Objective:In this study, we investigated the risk factors, anatomy, biology, and outcomes of NPS in AD. Methods:181 subjects were included from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Study (ADNI). NPS were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire at baseline and 6 months. NPI >3 was used as a threshold for NPS positivity. Three NPS courses were characterized: 1) minimal/absent (negative at 0 and 6 months, n = 77); 2) fluctuating (positive only at one time point, n = 53); 3) persistent (positive at both time points, n = 51). We examined the association between NPS course and family history of dementia, personal history of psychiatric disorders, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, atrophy patterns, as well as longitudinal cognitive and functional measures at 12 and 24 months (MMSE, CDR-SOB, FAQ). Results:AD subjects with absent, fluctuating, or persistent NPS had similar CSF amyloid-β and tau levels. AD subjects with minimal/absent NPS had less personal history of psychiatric disorders (35%) than those with fluctuating (57%; p = 0.015) or persistent NPS (47%, not significant). At 24 months, AD subjects with persistent NPS had worse cognitive (MMSE; p = 0.05) and functional (CDR-SOB; p = 0.016) outcomes. Dorsolateral prefrontal atrophy was seen in persistent NPS, but not in fluctuating NPS. Conclusions:Our results suggest that individuals with personal history of psychiatric disorders might be more vulnerable to develop NPS throughout the course of AD. The worst cognitive and functional outcomes associated with NPS in AD underscores the importance of monitoring NPS early in the disease course.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, apathy, depression, neuropsychiatric inventory, neuropsychiatric symptoms, psychosis
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-160767
Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 483-493, 2017
