Neuropsychiatric syndromes in dementia. Results from the European Alzheimer Disease Consortium: part I

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2007;24(6):457-63. doi: 10.1159/000110738. Epub 2007 Nov 7.

Abstract

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to identify neuropsychiatric subsyndromes of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory in a large sample of outpatients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Cross-sectional data of 2,354 patients with AD from 12 centres from the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium were collected. Principal component analysis was used for factor analysis.

Results: The results showed the presence of 4 neuropsychiatric subsyndromes: hyperactivity, psychosis, affective symptoms and apathy. The subsyndrome apathy was the most common, occurring in almost 65% of the patients.

Conclusion: This large study has provided additional robust evidence for the existence of neuropsychiatric subsyndromes in AD.

Publication types

  • Consensus Development Conference
  • Multicenter Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / epidemiology*
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Dementia / diagnosis*
  • Dementia / epidemiology*
  • Europe / epidemiology
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Mental Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prevalence
  • Severity of Illness Index