A systematic review of atypical Alzheimer's disease including behavioural and psychological symptoms

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the commonest cause of dementia, characterized by the clinical presentation of progressive anterograde episodic memory impairment. However, atypical presentation of patients is increasingly recognized. These atypical AD include logopenic aphasia, behavioural variant AD, posterior cortical atrophy, and corticobasal syndrome. These atypical AD are more common in patients with young onset AD before the age of 65 years old. Since medical needs (including the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia) of atypical AD patients could be different from typical AD patients, it is important for clinicians to be aware of these atypical forms of AD. In addition, disease modifying treatment may be available in the future. This review aims at providing an update on various important subtypes of atypical AD including behavioural and psychological symptoms.

Predictors of primary care psychological therapy outcomes for depression and anxiety in people living with dementia: evidence from national healthcare records in England

“…The British Journal of Psychiatry (2024) 224, 205-212. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2024.12 rarer forms of dementia 11 and have a greater awareness of the disease 12 than people with late-onset dementia. Considering these differences and previous findings that older adults have better therapy outcomes than working-age adults in primary care psychological therapy, 13 it is possible that older PLWD may have better psychological therapy outcomes than younger PLWD.…”

“…8 It is also possible that age at onset (<65 v. ≥65 years) may be important. People with young-onset dementia are more likely to experience behavioural and psychological symptoms, 9 present with non-memory-based first cognitive symptoms, 10 have rarer forms of dementia 11 and have a greater awareness of the disease 12 than people with late-onset dementia. Considering these differences and previous findings that older adults have better therapy outcomes than working-age adults in primary care psychological therapy, 13 it is possible that older PLWD may have better psychological therapy outcomes than younger PLWD.…”

Aducanumab, a Novel Anti-Amyloid Monoclonal Antibody, for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comprehensive Review

“…Symptoms may mimic frontotemporal dementia including apathy, impulsivity, and agitation. 17,23 In more advanced stages, delusions and hallucinations can be seen. Visual hallucinations have been attributed to the loss of cholinergic innervation.…”

Introductory Chapter: Neurological Disorders - Therapy Approaches

“…Alzheimer disease [20][21][22] It is the most cause of dementia (60-80% of dementia cases), with clinical presentation of progressive anterograde episodic memory impairment, affecting memory, thinking and behavior. Generally, most people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older.…”