title: Cognitive predictors of functional decline in vascular dementia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examined changes in cognitive-functional relationships in vascular dementia (VaD) over the course of one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients with probable VaD were administered the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS). Caregivers completed an informant-based measure of instrumental (IADL) and basic activities of daily living (BADL). Follow-up assessment was conducted one-year post-baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Logistic regression revealed that changes in the DRS Initiation/Perseveration and DRS Memory subscales were significantly associated with declines in IADLs and BADLs, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among patients with VaD, longitudinal changes in IADLs and BADLs are most strongly associated with changes in executive functioning and memory abilities, respectively. Findings suggest that different cognitive functions subserve complex instrumental and rote, habituated basic functional activities, and neuropsychological screening measures are useful in the prediction of such functional changes.
authors.affiliation: Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA. angelaj@bu.edu
authors.forename: Angela L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cahn-Weiner
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Ronald A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008609:Mental Status Schedule