title: Deterioration on the Blessed test in Alzheimer's disease: longitudinal data and their implications for clinical trials and identification of subtypes.
abstract: One hundred eleven patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) were given the Blessed test (BT) of information, memory, and concentration (scored 0-33) at 6-month intervals over periods of 6-96 months. For each patient, the change in the total BT score between pairs of visits at 6- and 12-month intervals was measured. Mean deterioration scores over 6 and 12 months were 2.2 (SD = 3.2) and 4.1 (SD = 4.1) points, respectively. There was no significant correlation between degree of dementia on the BT and the rate of deterioration. Gender, age of onset, and family history had no significant effect on the rate of deterioration. The implications of the results for treatment trials and investigations of clinical heterogeneity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Service, VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mohs
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Bierer
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmeidler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis