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

Abstract

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.

Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Symptoms Across the Alzheimer Disease Clinical Spectrum

“…First, although we took a unilateral perspective when examining the relationship between NPS and cognitive functioning, we acknowledge that cognitive impairments can also contribute to the presence and worsening of NPS in AD. 48 Second, we examined a relatively young cohort of participants (mean [SD] age 66.3 [7.7]) who visited a tertiary memory clinic and may be characterized by a relative absence of age-related comorbidities. This may limit the generalizability of our findings to cohorts with older individuals with AD.…”

Neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms across the Alzheimer’s disease clinical spectrum: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations

“…First, although we took a unilateral perspective when examining the relationship between NPS and cognitive functioning, we acknowledge that cognitive impairments can also contribute to the presence and worsening of NPS in AD. 48 Second, we examined a relatively young cohort of participants (M[SD] age=66.3[7.7]) who visited a tertiary memory clinic and may be characterized by a relative absence of age-related comorbidities. This may limit the generalizability of our findings to cohorts with older individuals with AD.…”

Relacion entre funciones ejecutivas y trastornos neuropsiquiatricos en pacientes con Alzheimer de diferente grado de severidad

“…Además, en la fase moderada existe una relación positiva entre las instrucciones conflictivas y la irritabilidad, por lo que dicho tn se relaciona de manera negativa con el razonamiento abstracto y de manera positiva con la sensibilidad hacia la interferencia. Se ha reportado que la interferencia está asociada a tn como la ansiedad y depresión (Rouch et al, 2020). En otros estudios se han encontrado correlaciones positivas entre la sensibilidad a la interferencia y alucinaciones; secuencias motoras, desinhibición y trastornos de alimentación; fluencia verbal y trastornos de alimentación, y Go-No go y euforia (Sotomayor, 2007).…”