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. 2019 Apr 18:11:333-339.
doi: 10.1016/j.dadm.2019.02.006. eCollection 2019 Dec.

Time course of neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive diagnosis in National Alzheimer's Coordinating Centers volunteers

Elizabeth A Wise  1 , Paul B Rosenberg  1 , Constantine G Lyketsos  1 , Jeannie-Marie Leoutsakos  1
Affiliations

Time course of neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive diagnosis in National Alzheimer's Coordinating Centers volunteers

Elizabeth A Wise et al. Alzheimers Dement (Amst). .

Abstract

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) are nearly universal in cognitive disorders. The mild behavioral impairment construct postulates that NPS may be the first symptom of impending dementia.

Methods: Participants were cognitively normal volunteers followed up approximately annually at Alzheimer's Disease Centers, who were assessed on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and had at least one follow-up visit during which they were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Descriptive statistics were used to determine sequencing of NPS presence with cognitive diagnoses.

Results: Data were available for 1998 participants who progressed to MCI or dementia. Over 59% developed NPS before the diagnosis of any cognitive disorder. Depression and irritability were the most common NPSs to precede cognitive diagnoses (24 and 21%, respectively).

Discussion: NPSs precede a cognitive diagnosis in most people who develop cognitive decline, both MCI and dementia. These individuals are an important group to focus clinical and research efforts.

Keywords: Alzheimer's and related dementias; Dementia; Mild behavioral impairment; Mild cognitive impairment; Neuropsychiatric symptoms.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Time Course of NPS presence and cognitive diagnosis for participants with at least nine annual visits. Abbreviations: MCI, Mild cognitive impairment; NPS, neuropsychiatric symptom.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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