HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Cited by other online articles Google Scholar Articles by McCarty, H. J. Articles by Haley, W. E. Articles citing this Article PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by McCarty, H. J. Articles by Haley, W. E.

Longitudinal Course of Behavioral Problems During Alzheimer's Disease

Linear Versus Curvilinear Patterns of Decline

^a Departments of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
^b Departments of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
^c Department of Gerontology, University of South Florida, Tampa

David L. Roth, Department of Psychology, 415 Campbell Hall, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 E-mail: droth{at}uab.edu.

Decision Editor: William B. Ershler, MD

Background. Patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are commonly assumed to experience a linear decline in behavioral functioning that parallels progressive cognitive decline. However, some researchers have suggested that specific behavioral problems either decline at different rates or improve in late dementia.

Methods. The present analyses examined 150 AD patients at an initial assessment, 61 of whom were also evaluated annually on two additional occasions. Measures of cognitive impairment and behavioral problems were obtained.

Results. Cross-sectional results indicated curvilinear associations between dementia severity and certain behavioral problems (forgetful behaviors, and emotional and impulsive behaviors). Longitudinal analyses further indicated trends for curvilinear rates of behavioral disturbance across time, with some problem areas showing improvement as AD progresses through the most severe stages.

Conclusions. Even though Alzheimer's disease is a progressive dementia characterized by increasing cognitive deterioration, it appears to be inaccurate to expect behavioral functioning to show the same linear decline across time.

This article has been cited by other articles: (Search Google Scholar for Other Citing Articles)

				R. Newcomer, K. E. Covinsky, T. Clay, and K. Yaffe Predicting 12-Month Mortality for Persons With Dementia J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., May 1, 2003; 58(3): S187 - 198. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. K. Y. Chan A New Hypothesis (Concept) of Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., October 1, 2002; 57(10): M645 - 647. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Hooker, S. R. Bowman, D. P. Coehlo, S. R. Lim, J. Kaye, R. Guariglia, and F. Li Behavioral Change in Persons With Dementia: Relationships With Mental and Physical Health of Caregivers J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., September 1, 2002; 57(5): P453 - 460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]