The influence of neuropsychological functioning on neuropsychiatric problems in dementia.
Although much is known about the relationship between neuropsychiatric problems and the severity of cognitive impairments, relatively little is known about the association with specific cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to determine whether specific cognitive impairments are predictive of neuropsychiatric problems. One hundred twenty-six patients were evaluated every 6 months for 2 years. In particular, a low level of language expression was related to higher levels of overall neuropsychiatric problems and to psychosis. Impairment of abstract reasoning was related to psychosis and aberrant motor behavior.
Aalten
Pauline
P
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University Hospital of Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, the Netherlands. p.aalten@np.unimaas.nl
Jolles
Jellemer
J
de Vugt
Marjolein E
ME
Verhey
Frans R J
FR
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011578:Psycholinguistics; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D014705:Verbal Behavior