Personality change precedes clinical diagnosis of dementia of the Alzheimer type.
We examined personality changes reported by a collateral source on the Blessed Dementia Scale in people who were nondemented when they entered a longitudinal study. Of the 108 participants examined here, 68 received a clinical diagnosis of dementia at some point after entry into the study. The other 40 participants died and came to autopsy with a clinical diagnosis of no dementia; however, 14 received a neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The results indicate that initial personality changes often occur early, even earlier than clinical diagnosis. Individuals without a clinical diagnosis who showed presence of the disease at autopsy experienced personality changes comparable with those of individuals who had received a clinical diagnosis. Personality changes may aid in the early detection of dementia of the Alzheimer type, which could facilitate early treatment.
Balsis
Steve
S
Department of Psychology, Campus Box 1125, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA. smbalsis@wustl.edu
Carpenter
Brian D
BD
Storandt
Martha
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology