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. 2020 Sep;35(9):1043-1050.
doi: 10.1002/gps.5327. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Association between executive function and the evolution of behavioral disorders in Alzheimer's disease

Isabelle Rouch  1   2 , Catherine Padovan  3   4 , Nawèle Boublay  2 , Elodie Pongan  1   2 , Bernard Laurent  1   5 , Béatrice Trombert-Paviot  6 , Pierre Krolak-Salmon  2   7 , Jean-Michel Dorey  3   7
Affiliations

Association between executive function and the evolution of behavioral disorders in Alzheimer's disease

Isabelle Rouch et al. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the association between cognitive functioning and the occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods/design: The population is derived from the PACO cohort, including 237 patients with prodromal or mild AD. A neuropsychological tests battery exploring verbal and visual memory, language, attention, and executive functions was performed at baseline. BPSD were assessed at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-up with neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI).

Results: Lower baseline performance on Stroop test interference score was associated with higher subsequent overall NPI scores (P = .006), subscores of anxiety/depression (P = .03), and apathy inventory (P = .01). Conversely, other executive functions, verbal or visual memory, and language performances were not associated with a higher risk of BPSD.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that poorer inhibition performance would be associated with a higher risk of 18-month BPSD occurrence, including anxiety, depression, and apathy. A better knowledge of the predictive factors of the BPSDs would make it possible to better identify the patients at risk, to propose preventive strategies and an earlier adapted care. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:-, 2020.

Keywords: Alzheimer; behavior; cognitive impairment.

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References

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