Neuropsychiatric syndromes in dementia. Results from the European Alzheimer Disease Consortium: part I

Abstract

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to identify neuropsychiatric subsyndromes of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory in a large sample of outpatients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Cross-sectional data of 2,354 patients with AD from 12 centres from the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium were collected. Principal component analysis was used for factor analysis.

Results: The results showed the presence of 4 neuropsychiatric subsyndromes: hyperactivity, psychosis, affective symptoms and apathy. The subsyndrome apathy was the most common, occurring in almost 65% of the patients.

Conclusion: This large study has provided additional robust evidence for the existence of neuropsychiatric subsyndromes in AD.