Caregiver distress associated with behavioral and psychological symptoms in mild Alzheimer's disease

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between Caregiver Distress and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementias (BPSD) in mild Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Fifty patients and caregivers were interviewed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Results: 96.0% of the patients had at least one BPSD. The mean NPI total score was 19.6 (SD=18.05; range=0-78) whereas the mean Caregiver Distress Index (CDI) total score was 11.5 (SD=10.41; range=0-40). For the individual symptoms, the weighted mean CDI was 2.8 (SD=1.58). All symptom CDI means were higher than 2.0 except for euphoria/elation (m=1.8; SD=1.49). There were correlations between CDI and derived measures (Frequency, Severity, FxS, and Amplitude) for all symptoms, except Disinhibition and Night-time behavior. Correlations ranged between 0.443 and 0.894, with significance at p<0.05. Conclusions: All the derived measures, including amplitude, were useful in at least some cases. The data suggests that CDI cannot be inferred from symptom presence or profile. Symptoms should be systematically investigated.

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Are Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Associated With Mortality in Alzheimer's Disease?

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610200006785 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 12 (S1) ◽

pp. 63-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

David W. Gilley

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Daily Living ◽

Progressive Disease ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Substantial Reduction ◽

Disease Characteristics ◽

History Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with a substantial reduction in life expectancy, and mortality has long been evaluated as part of the natural history of this progressive disease. Survival time also plays an important role in projecting the future public health costs of AD. There is now considerable evidence linking mortality in AD with the severity of cognitive impairment and the level of disability in common activities of daily living (Bowen et al., 1996; Jagger et al., 1995; Moritz et al., 1997); established predictors of mortality in AD are listed in Table 1. However, the relationship between mortality and other disease characteristics has received less attention.

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Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in an Indian population: comparison between Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s104161020500311x ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 87-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

C. Pinto ◽

R. Seethalakshmi

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Vascular Dementia ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Behavioral Symptoms ◽

Caregiver Distress ◽

Population Comparison ◽

Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms ◽

Behavioral Pathology

Background: Differential patterns of brain lesions in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) can result in differing clinical courses and presentations.Method: Thirty patients with AD were compared with 29 patients with VaD for differences in behavioral symptoms using the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease (BEHAV-AD) rating scale.Results: Patients with AD had significantly more delusions, hallucinations, anxieties and phobias and caregiver distress than patients with VaD.Conclusions: Behavioral symptoms in both AD and VaD exhibit specific longitudinal patterns. An understanding of the pattern can aid the treating physician in giving appropriate advice to caregivers regarding the course of the illness and also help them in planning appropriate interventions.

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Behavioral and Neuropsychiatric Outcomes in Alzheimer's Disease

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900014206 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 10 (S18) ◽

pp. 22-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Jeffrey L. Cummings

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Cholinesterase Inhibitors ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽

Caregiver Distress ◽

Aspartate Receptor ◽

Home Placement ◽

Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

AbstractBehavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia pose significant challenges in the management of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are associated with cognitive decline, highly impaired activities of daily living, and frontal lobe pathology. Moreover, behavioral and psychological symptoms can diminish patient quality of life, increase caregiver distress, and accelerate nursing home placement. Although these symptoms are often associated with the later stages of Alzheimer's disease, a high percentage of individuals with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's report symptoms as well. This article provides an overview of behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and discusses nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to the management of such symptoms. For patients with severe behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, pychotropic agents may be warranted, whereas approved therapies for Alzheimer's, including cholinesterase inhibitors and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist memantine, may be appropriate in less severe cases.

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Serotonin 2 Receptors, Agomelatine, and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Alzheimer’s Disease

Behavioural Neurology ◽

10.1155/2021/5533827 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Hui-Hua Li ◽

Xiao-Yan Yao ◽

Sheng Tao ◽

Xue Sun ◽

Pan-pan Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

The Us ◽

Mental Symptoms ◽

Exploratory Stage ◽

New Type ◽

The Relationship ◽

Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

There are nearly 50 million Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients worldwide, 90% of whom develop behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which increase the mortality rate of patients, and impose an economic and care burden on families and society. As a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, serotonin is involved in the regulation of psychoemotional, sleep, and feeding functions. Accumulating data support the importance of serotonin in the occurrence and development of BPSD. Studies have shown that reduction of serotonin receptors can increase depression and mental symptoms in AD patients. At present, there is no drug treatment for AD approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Among them, agomelatine, as a new type of antidepressant, can act on serotonin 2 receptors to improve symptoms such as depression and anxiety. At present, research on BPSD is still in the preliminary exploratory stage, and there are still a lot of unknowns. This review summarizes the relationship between serotonin 2 receptors, agomelatine, and BPSD. It provides a new idea for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of BPSD.

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