Premorbid Personality Traits in Alzheimer's Disease: Do They Predispose to Noncognitive Behavioral Symptoms?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether premorbid personality traits predispose to noncognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Munich Personality Test was used to evaluate caregivers' perception of personality prior to symptom onset in 56 outpatients with probable AD. Caregivers also completed the “mood” and “disturbed behavior” scales of the Nurses' Observation Scale for Geriatric Patients. A neuropsychiatrist rated depressive symptoms on the Cornell Scale for Depression and the occurrence of personality change in four domains according to ICD-10. Under statistical control of confounding variables, results showed a moderate association between (high) premorbid neuroticism, subsequent troublesome behavior, and personality change, on the one hand, and (low) frustration tolerance and depression, on the other. Premorbid personality traits may indeed predispose to subsequent noncognitive symptoms in AD.

Personality Traits and Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…A number of studies suggest that premorbid personality characteristics may be predictive of BPS in dementia [20,24,25,26,27] while still others reach the opposite conclusion for patients at an early stage of AD [13,40,41]. Some of these characteristics may correspond to an overexpression of premorbid personality traits [11,13,21], but no such studies are available for MCI.…”

“…Premorbid personality may also favour BPS in later dementia [24,25,26,27], but these links remain unclear due to, among other reasons, the often unclear personality concepts used in different studies. Studies have shown personality changes and BPS in early AD [11,13], but these findings are preliminary and have not been replicated in MCI.…”

“…Furthermore, we hypothesized that MCI subjects underwent a personality change characterized by an increase in neuroticism and a decrease in extraversion, openness and conscientiousness while personality traits would remain unchanged in normal controls [13,18]. Finally, we hypothesized that premorbid personality traits and personality change in MCI patients would be associated with the occurrence of BPS [11,13,21,24,25,26,27]. …”

Relationship between Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia and Cognition in Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Its effect on depressive symptoms mirrors that in older people without dementia [22] . Premorbid personality factors are known to influence BPSDs [23] . Perhaps NART-IQ reflects a general robustness of the brain (i.e.…”

Recognition and Management of Behavioral Disturbances in Dementia

“…16,17 Premorbid personality problems are also correlated with higher incidence of behavioral disturbances in dementia patients. 18 Specific behaviors such as screaming and vocal outbursts are strongly correlated with increased functional impairment, depressed affect, and social networks of poor quality. [19][20][21] Deutsch and Rovner 22 found that Alzheimer's disease patients who were more physically violent were more dependent on others regarding oral hygiene, dressing, and toilet needs.…”