Clinical Characteristics of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Drug-naive Alzheimer's Disease.
10.12779/dnd.2012.11.3.87
- Author:
Yong Tae KWAK
1
;
Youngsoon YANG
;
Soon Gu KWAK
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Hyoja Geriatric Hospital, Yongin, Korea. kwakdr@gmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia;
Drug-naive;
Alzheimer's disease;
Cluster analysis
- MeSH:
Alzheimer Disease;
Cluster Analysis;
Dementia;
Deoxycytidine;
Depression;
Humans
- From:Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
2012;11(3):87-94
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are less well-defined aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We designed this study to explore the followings: 1) the clinical profiles of BPSD 2) the clustered-groups domains of the Korean-Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI) assessment of BPSD 3) the clinical characteristics of the clustered-groups of BPSD in patients with drug-naive probable AD. METHODS: Descriptive and cluster analyses of the 12 K-NPI domains were done in 220 patients with drug-naive probable AD. After clustering these domains, characteristics of these positive symptoms clustered-group of patients were compared with the negative symptoms groups of patients. RESULTS: The mean Korean-Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, and K-NPI scores were 15.0, 1.6, and 14.2, respectively. The CDR and K-MMSE scores correlated with total K-NPI scores, and depression was the most common symptom. According to cluster analysis, five major clusters were identified. Using the associated neuropsychological dysfunctions, characteristics of each group were defined. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the clustered-domains for K-NPI, and suggested the possible anatomical substrates for these groups in drug-naive AD patients. These attempts may clarify the complex and bizarre behavioral and psychological symptoms as more neurologically relevant symptoms.
