Natural history of behavioural changes and psychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. A longitudinal study.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia are characterised by numerous psychiatric and behavioural changes. Little is known of their natural history. AIMS: To investigate the sequence and pattern of these changes throughout the course of dementia. METHOD: One hundred people, initially living at home with carers, entered a prospective, longitudinal study. At four-monthly intervals, behavioural and psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Present Behavioural Examination and Mini-Mental State Examination. Follow-up continued for up to nine years (mean 3.3 years; s.d. 2.4). Patterns of onset and disappearance of these symptoms, their sequence and association with time of death and cognitive decline were analysed. Autopsy confirmed a diagnosis of pure Alzheimer's disease in 48 subjects. Data for this subgroup are presented. RESULTS: Some changes tend to occur earlier than others but changes can occur at almost any time in the course of dementia. CONCLUSIONS: The natural history of behaviour changes in Alzheimer's disease shows great individual variation although some changes tend to follow a recognisable sequence.

Authors: Hope, T; Keene, J; Fairburn, C; Jacoby, R; McShane, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
• Volume: 174
• Issue: JAN.
• Pages: 39-44
• Publication date: 1999-01-01
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.174.1.39
• EISSN: 1472-1465
• ISSN: 0007-1250
• Language: English
• Keywords: Prospective Studies; Longitudinal Studies; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cohort Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Alzheimer Disease; Mental Disorders