Neuropsychological performance in dementia of the Alzheimer type and multi-infarct dementia.
Neuropsychological performance was examined in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and in age- and education-matched patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID). Significant differences were observed for FSIQ, VIQ, and Picture Completion. This contrasts to no difference in verbal memory, visual-spatial skills, and sustained attention/concentration. This report illustrates that neuropsychological testing of elderly patients is unable to aid in the differential diagnosis between clinically similar forms of dementia, and should be employed to establish the level of cognitive function to make inferences regarding the patient's functional independence.
Loring
D W
DW
Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-2366, USA.
Meador
K J
KJ
Mahurin
R K
RK
Largen
J W
JW