Examining Factors Affecting Caregiver Burden: A Comparison of Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Özlem Küçükgüçlü ◽  
Burcu Akpınar Söylemez ◽  
Görsev Yener ◽  
Canan Demir Barutcu ◽  
Merve Aliye Akyol
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Functional Activities ◽  
Neuropsychological Symptoms ◽  
Caregiver Burdens ◽  
State Examination

This study was conducted to compare the caregiver burden with regard to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and to determine the factors affecting the caregiver burden of patients with AD and FTD. A comparative descriptive study design was used. The sample consisted of 90 patients with AD and 44 patients with FTD and their caregivers. Sociodemographic questionnaire, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) were used. Descriptive statistics, t tests, χ2 test, and multinominal regression were used for analysis. No difference was found with subscales and the total score of the CBI, except time dependency scale. The total NPI and FAQ scores correlated significantly, and the MMSE score did not show a significant correlation with the AD and FTD caregiver burden. The presence and frequency of neuropsychological symptoms differ among patients with FTD and AD, and different symptoms affect the caregiver burdens in both groups.

Attitudes towards Alzheimer's disease as a risk factor for caregiver burden

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1451-1461 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Zawadzki ◽  
K. Mondon ◽  
N. Peru ◽  
C. Hommet ◽  
T. Constans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Cognitive Efficiency ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
State Examination

ABSTRACTBackground: There is abundant literature on the determinants of caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but little is known about the possible implication of specific patterns of a caregiver's attitudes towards the disease that could increase their risk of – or protect them from – emotional distress and burden. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that negative attitudes towards AD are associated with an increased level of burden experienced by caregivers of AD patients.Methods: Family caregivers of 51 patients with AD were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their attitudes towards AD. In addition, we assessed the level of their quality of life, anxiety and depression as well as their perceived level of burden. In parallel, we documented the patients’ characteristics: global cognitive efficiency (Mini-Mental State Examination), behavioral and affective symptoms (Neuropsychiatric Inventory) and functional level (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living).Results: The score of caregiver burden was positively correlated with negative attitudes such as authoritarianism (r = 0.41, p < 0.01) and social restrictiveness (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) as well as emotional reactions of anxiety (r = 0.44, p < 0.01) and aggressiveness (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). In addition, scores of social restrictiveness, rejection and anxiety were significantly higher in women than in men.Conclusion: These results may have implications in terms of the prevention of caregiver burden. In particular, educational and support programs for caregivers should not be limited to developing their knowledge and skills but should also target attitudes towards the disease.

scholarly journals Cerebellar volume in patients with dementia

2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Baldaçara ◽  
João Guilherme Fiorani Borgio ◽  
Walter André dos Santos Moraes ◽  
Acioly Luiz Tavares Lacerda ◽  
Maria Beatriz Marcondes Macedo Montaño ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan ◽  
Functional Activities ◽  
Cerebellar Volume ◽  
State Examination

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the cerebellar volume of subjects at different stages of Alzheimer's disease and to investigate whether volume reductions in this structure are related to cognitive decline. METHOD: Ninety-six subjects from an epidemiological study were submitted to a magnetic resonance imaging scan and evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Functional Activities Questionnaire. Subjects were divided into five groups according to the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. Twenty-six subjects from the original group who had no dementia diagnosis at baseline were re-evaluated for the onset of dementia after two years. RESULTS: The volumes of the cerebellar hemispheres, posterior cerebellar lobe, vermis and temporal lobe were found to be reduced as a function of the severity of the disease. There were significant positive correlations between the volume of the temporal lobe and cerebellum and the language, attention, and total scores in the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Functional Activities Questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that reduced temporal lobe, posterior cerebellar lobe and vermal volume at baseline is a risk factor for the onset of dementia. CONCLUSION: This is the first study demonstrating that reduced cerebellar volume is already apparent at the predementia stage. The results of this study support the involvement of the cerebellum in the progression of dementia. Whereas the cerebellum might not be directly associated with the origin of Alzheimer's disease, it may provide useful information related to its prognosis.

Validation of the Hungarian version of Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (12) ◽  
pp. 461-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdolna Pákáski ◽  
Gergely Drótos ◽  
Zoltán Janka ◽  
János Kálmán
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Cognitive Subscale ◽  
State Examination ◽  
Hungarian Version

The cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale is the most widely used test in the diagnostic and research work of Alzheimer’s disease. Aims: The aim of this study was to validate and investigate reliability of the Hungarian version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and healthy control subjects. Methods: syxty-six patients with mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease and 47 non-demented control subjects were recruited for the study. The cognitive status was established by the Hungarian version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale and Mini Mental State Examination. Discriminative validity, the relation between age and education and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale, and the sensitivity and specificity of the test were determined. Results: Both the Mini Mental State Examination and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale had significant potential in differentiating between patients with mild and moderate stages of Alzheimer’s disease and control subjects. A very strong negative correlation was established between the scores of the Mini Mental State Examination and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale in the Alzheimer’s disease group. The Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale showed slightly negative relationship between education and cognitive performance, whereas a positive correlation between age and Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale scores was detected only in the control group. According to the analysis of the ROC curve, the values of sensitivity and specificity of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale were high. Conclusions: The Hungarian version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale was found to be highly reliable and valid and, therefore, the application of this scale can be recommended for the establishment of the clinical stage and follow-up of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the current Hungarian version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale is not sufficient; the list of words and linguistic elements should be selected according to the Hungarian standard in the future. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 461–466.

scholarly journals Educational bias in the assessment of severe dementia: Brazilian cutoffs for severe Mini-Mental State Examination

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 273-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Roberto Wajman ◽  
Fabricio Ferreira de Oliveira ◽  
Rodrigo Rizek Schultz ◽  
Sheilla de Medeiros Correia Marin ◽  
Paulo Henrique Ferreira Bertolucci
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Cognitive Responses ◽  
Clinical Dementia Rating ◽  
Severe Dementia ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
State Examination

Cognitive assessment in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is limited by the imprecision of most instruments. Objective: To determine objective cognitive responses in moderate and severe AD patients by way of the Severe Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMSE), and to correlate performances with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Method: Consecutive outpatients in moderate and severe stages of AD (Clinical Dementia Rating 2.0 or 3.0) were evaluated and compared according to MMSE and SMMSE scores. Results: Overall 400 patients were included, 67.5% females, mean age 76.6±6.7 years-old. There was no significant impact of age or gender over MMSE or SMMSE scores. Mean schooling was 4.4±2.5 years, impacting SMMSE scores (p=0.008). Scores on MMSE and SMMSE were significantly correlated (F-ratio=690.6325, p<0.0001). Conclusion: The SMMSE is influenced by schooling, but not by age or gender, and is an accurate test for assessment of moderate and severe AD.

scholarly journals Late Onset Alzheimer Dementia in Patients with Genotype E3/E4: A Case Report

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (C) ◽  
pp. 5-9
Author(s):  
Anak Agung Ayu Putri Laksmidewi ◽  
Chiquita Putri Vania Rau
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Apoe Genotype ◽  
Time Orientation ◽  
Alzheimer Dementia ◽  
The Family ◽  
State Examination

BACKGROUND: Dementia is one of the leading causes of disability and dependence in elderly worldwide. Epidemiological statistics indicate that data show that at about 60–80%, Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s is also the third-most prominent cause of death in elderly. CASE REPORT: A 72-years-old male patient, complained by the family often forgets about things that have just been done for 3 years ago. According to the family, patient also often discussing the same things repeatedly. Patients tend not to have the initiative to start his daily activities. The family admitted that patient also became often angry and felt suspicious for the last 2 years. From the mini mental state examination showed disturbances in time orientation and recall; from Montreal Cognitive Assessment Ina found disturbances in visuospatial, fluency, abstraction, delayed memory, and time orientation; accompanied by activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL disorders. Patient also performed a molecular examination of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and the genotype E3/E4 was detected. CONCLUSION: The function of the APOE gene, in particular APOE4, is the most emphasized genetic relationship in late onset Alzheimer’s disease. It is proposed that blocking the action of APOE4 can delay or stop Alzheimer’s disease progression.

scholarly journals Atrophy subtypes and the ATN classification scheme in Alzheimer’s disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nira Cedres ◽  
Urban Ekman ◽  
Konstantinos Poulakis ◽  
Sara Shams ◽  
Lena Cavallin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Mixed Data ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Source Characteristics ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers ◽  
State Examination

Abstract BACKGROUND We investigated the association between atrophy subtypes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the ATN classification scheme, and key demographic and clinical factors, in two cohorts with different source characteristics (a highly selective research-oriented cohort, ADNI; and a naturalistic heterogeneous clinically-oriented cohort, Karolinska Imaging Dementia Study (KIDS). METHODS A total of 382 AD patients were included. Factorial analysis of mixed data was used to investigate associations between AD subtype based on brain atrophy patterns, ATN profiles based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and age, sex, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), cerebrovascular disease (CVD) (burden of white matter signal abnormalities, WMSA), and APOE genotype. RESULTS Older patients with high WMSA burden, belonging to the typical AD subtype, and showing A + T + N + or A + T + N- profiles clustered together and were mainly from ADNI. Younger patients with low WMSA burden, limbic-predominant or minimal atrophy AD subtypes, and A + T-N- or A + T-N + profiles, clustered together and were mainly from KIDS. APOE ε4 carriers more frequently showed the A + T-N- and A + T + N- profiles. CONCLUSIONS Our findings align with the recent framework for biological subtypes of AD: the combination of risk factors, protective factors, and brain pathologies determines belonging of AD patients to distinct subtypes.

The Mini-Mental State Examination in the Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Galasko ◽  
M. R. Klauber ◽  
C. R. Hofstetter ◽  
D. P. Salmon ◽  
B. Lasker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
State Examination

scholarly journals Kihito, a Traditional Japanese Kampo Medicine, Improves Cognitive Function in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidetoshi Watari ◽  
Yutaka Shimada ◽  
Mie Matsui ◽  
Chihiro Tohda
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Mental State ◽  
Mini Mental State Examination ◽  
Mmse Score ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
Emission Computed Tomography ◽  
State Examination

Background and Aims. We previously reported that the administration of traditional Japanese medicines, kihito (Gui-Pi-Tang in Chinese) and kamikihito (Jia-Wei-Gui-Pi-Tang in Chinese), to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) model mice improved memory impairment. There are a few reports that show kihito and kamikihito have a beneficial effect on the cognitive function of AD patients in clinical studies. However, these studies are not comparative and are retrospective studies; thus, more evidence is needed. Therefore, we conducted an open-label, crossover designed clinical trial to investigate the effect of kihito on cognitive function of AD patients. Methods. The inclusion criteria for eligible patients were as follows: (1) imaging diagnosis (magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography) of AD, (2) a treatment regimen including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), and (3) a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥15. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) change in ChEI dosage, (2) memantine usage, and (3) MMSE score < 15. To prevent bias in age and baseline cognitive function, patients were divided into two groups: the first group received 2.5 g of kihito extract 3 times/day during the first half of the study (weeks 0-16) and the second group received the same dose of kihito during the second half of the study (weeks 17-32). ChEI dosage did not change during the study period. Patients underwent a cognitive function test during weeks 0, 16, and 32. Cognitive function was evaluated by Japanese versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-J) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS-J) test. Results. Ten patients completed the clinical trial (4 males, 6 females, average age 71.7 years). MMSE-J scores significantly increased during the kihito intake period. RBANS-J test scores had a slight improvement during the kihito intake period compared with the ChEI alone treatment period, but no significant changes were observed. Conclusion. Kihito improves cognitive function in AD patients.

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