Association of Alcohol Consumption with Cognition and Functionality in Older Adults Aged 75+ Years: The Pietà Study.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and cognition is still controversial. This is a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Caeté (MG), Brazil, where 602 individuals aged 75+ years, 63.6% female, and with a mean education of 2.68 years, were submitted to thorough clinical assessments and categorized according to the number of alcoholic beverages consumed weekly. The prevalence rates of previous and current alcohol consumption were 34.6% and 12.3%, respectively. No association emerged between cognitive diagnoses and current/previous alcohol consumption categories. Considering current alcohol intake as a dichotomous variable, the absence of alcohol consumption was associated with dementia (OR = 2.34; 95%CI: 1.39-3.90) and worse functionality (p = 0.001). Previous consumption of cachaça (sugar cane liquor) increased the risk of dementia by 2.52 (95%CI: 1.25-5.04). The association between the consumption of cachaça and dementia diagnosis has not been described before.

White Matter Microstructure in Illiterate and Low-Literate Elderly Brazilians: Preliminary Findings.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in white matter microstructure between illiterate and low-literate elderly Brazilians. BACKGROUND: High literacy levels are believed to partially counteract the negative effects of neurodegenerative diseases. Investigating the impact of low literacy versus illiteracy on brain structure can contribute knowledge about cognitive reserve in elderly populations with low educational attainment. Fractional anisotropy is a measure derived from diffusion tensor imaging sequences that positively correlate with the integrity of the brain's white matter microstructure. METHODS: Older adults who participated in an epidemiological study to investigate brain aging in Brazil and had magnetic resonance scans with the diffusion tensor imaging acquisition were selected (n=31). Participants were divided into two groups: (a) low-literate (n=21), with 3.4 (1.4) years of education, 79.8 (3.8) years of age, 17 cognitively healthy and four with cognitive impairment-no dementia; and (b) illiterate (n=10) with no formal schooling, 80.7 (4.1) years of age, six cognitively healthy and four with cognitive impairment-no dementia. We contrasted the two groups' white matter microstructure measures using whole-brain and region of interest approaches. RESULTS: The low-literate participants had significantly higher fractional anisotropy values in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus than did the illiterate ones. CONCLUSIONS: Although our results are preliminary because of the sample size, they suggest that low literacy, versus illiteracy, is associated with higher fractional anisotropy values, which are indirect measurements of white matter microstructure. This finding provides insight into a possible mechanism by which literacy, even at low levels, may contribute to cognitive reserve.

Primary School Education May Be Sufficient to Moderate a Memory-Hippocampal Relationship.

According to the cognitive reserve theory, intellectual stimuli acquired during life can prevent against developing cognitive impairment. The underlying cognitive reserve mechanisms were underexplored in low-educated individuals. Because episodic memory impairment due to hippocampal dysfunction is a key feature of Alzheimer's dementia (AD), we sought to look at a possible cognitive reserve mechanism by determining whether few years of education moderated the relationship between the hippocampal volumes and the episodic-memory scores. The sample was composed by 183 older adults, 40.1% male, with the median age of 78[76,82] years and the median years of education of 4[2,10] who had undergone an episodic-memory test and a 3-Tesla MRI scan to access the hippocampal volumes. Overall, 112 were cognitively healthy, 26 had cognitive impairment-no dementia (CIND) and 45 had dementia. We used multiple linear regression to assess whether the interaction between years of education and each hippocampal volume significantly predicted the episodic-memory scores' variance, controlling for cognitive diagnosis and nuisance variables. The interaction term with the left hippocampus (ß = 0.2, p = 0.043, CI = 1.0, 1.4), but not with the right (ß = 0.1, p = 0.218, CI = 0.9, 1.2) significantly predicted the variation on memory scores. The mechanism by which the left hippocampus seems to play a more important role on memory processing in more educated individuals needs to be further investigated and might be associated with a better use of mnemonic strategies or higher hippocampal connectivity. Because the sample's median years of education was four, which corresponds to primary school, we may infer that this level might be sufficient to contribute for building cognitive reserve.

The Accuracy of INECO Frontal Screening in the Diagnosis of Executive Dysfunction in Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Executive dysfunction is a common symptom in neurodegenerative disorders and is in need of easy-to-apply screening tools that might identify it. The aims of the present study were to examine some of the psychometric characteristics of the Brazilian version of the INECO frontal screening (IFS), and to investigate its accuracy to diagnose executive dysfunction in dementia and its accuracy to differentiate Alzheimer disease (AD) from the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with bvFTD (n=18) and AD (n=20), and 15 healthy controls completed a neuropsychological battery, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, the Clinical Dementia Rating, and the IFS. RESULTS: The IFS had acceptable internal consistency (α=0.714) and was significantly correlated with general cognitive measures and with neuropsychological tests. The IFS had adequate accuracy to differentiate patients with dementia from healthy controls (AUC=0.768, cutoff=19.75, sensitivity=0.80, specificity=0.63), but low accuracy to differentiate bvFTD from AD (AUC=0.594, cutoff=16.75, sensitivity=0.667, specificity=0.600). CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that the IFS may be used to screen for executive dysfunction in dementia. Nonetheless, it should be used with caution in the differential diagnosis between AD and bvFTD.

Integrity of white matter structure is related to episodic memory performance in the low-educated elderly.

The low-educated elderly are a vulnerable population in whom studying the role of white matter integrity on memory may provide insights for understanding how memory declines with aging and disease. METHODS: Thirty-one participants (22 women), 23 cognitively healthy and eight with cognitive impairment-no dementia, aged 80.4 ± 3.8 years, with 2.2 ± 1.9 years of education, underwent an MRI scan with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) acquisition. We verified if there were correlations between the performance on the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) with DTI parameters. RESULTS: The BCSB delayed recall task correlated with frontotemporoparietal connection bundles, with the hippocampal part of the cingulum bilaterally and with the right superior longitudinal fasciculus. The RAVLT learning and delayed recall scores also correlated with the hippocampal part of the cingulum bilaterally. CONCLUSIONS: Although preliminary, our study suggests that the integrity of white matter frontotemporoparietal fasciculi seems to play a role in episodic memory performance in the low-educated elderly. This finding opens opportunities to study potential targets for memory decline prevention in vulnerable populations.

Integrity of white matter structure is related to episodic memory performance in the low-educated elderly / Memória e integridade da substância branca em idosos de baixa escolaridade

ABSTRACT The low-educated elderly are a vulnerable population in whom studying the role of white matter integrity on memory may provide insights for understanding how memory declines with aging and disease. Methods: Thirty-one participants (22 women), 23 cognitively healthy and eight with cognitive impairment-no dementia, aged 80.4 ± 3.8 years, with 2.2 ± 1.9 years of education, underwent an MRI scan with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) acquisition. We verified if there were correlations between the performance on the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) with DTI parameters. Results: The BCSB delayed recall task correlated with frontotemporoparietal connection bundles, with the hippocampal part of the cingulum bilaterally and with the right superior longitudinal fasciculus. The RAVLT learning and delayed recall scores also correlated with the hippocampal part of the cingulum bilaterally. Conclusions: Although preliminary, our study suggests that the integrity of white matter frontotemporoparietal fasciculi seems to play a role in episodic memory performance in the low-educated elderly. This finding opens opportunities to study potential targets for memory decline prevention in vulnerable populations.

RESUMO Idosos de baixo nível educacional representam uma população vulnerável em que o estudo do papel da integridade da substância branca na memória pode revelar como essa declina no envelhecimento. Métodos: Trinta e um indivíduos (22 mulheres), sendo 23 cognitivamente saudáveis, oito com comprometimento cognitivo não demência, 80,4 ± 3,8 anos de idade e 2,2 ± 1,9 anos de escolaridade, foram submetidos à RM com imagem de tensor de difusão, cujos parâmetros foram correlacionados com a Bateria Cognitiva Breve (BCSB) e o Teste Auditivo Verbal de Rey (RAVLT). Resultados: A evocação tardia da BCSB correlacionou-se com fascículos de conexão frontotemporoparietal, fascículo longitudinal superior direito e cíngulo parte hipocampal bilateral, sendo que esse último também correlacionou com o RAVLT (aprendizado e evocação tardia). Conclusão: Apesar de preliminar, nosso estudo sugere que a integridade da substância branca parece ser importante para a memória em idosos de baixa escolaridade, achado que revela alvo potencial na prevenção do seu declínio em populações vulneráveis.

Neuropsychiatric Symptoms, Caregiver Burden and Distress in Behavioral-Variant Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We aimed to compare caregiver burden and distress in behavioral-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to investigate which factors contribute to caregivers' burden and distress. METHODS: Fifty patients and their caregivers were invited to participate. Among the patients, 20 had a diagnosis of bvFTD and 30 had AD. Caregivers and patients were statistically equivalent for age, sex, education and dementia severity according to Clinical Dementia Rating. The protocol included the Short Zarit Burden Inventory, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised, the Executive Interview with 25 Items, Direct Assessment of Functional Status and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). RESULTS: In the NPI, caregivers of bvFTD patients reported a higher presence and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver distress compared to caregivers of AD patients. There was no significant difference in the perceived burden. In bvFTD, DAD and GAI scores were significantly correlated with burden, whereas in AD, burden was correlated with CSDD and NPI scores. Psychiatric symptoms were associated with distress in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers of bvFTD patients experienced higher levels of distress than caregivers of AD patients. Patients' functional limitations were associated with burden of caregivers of bvFTD patients, whereas neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with caregiver strain in both groups.

Direct and indirect assessments of activities of daily living in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about the functional profile of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). OBJECTIVE: To compare direct and indirect assessments of activities of daily living (ADLs) in bvFTD and Alzheimer disease (AD) and their relationship with cognitive performance. METHODS: In all, 20 patients with bvFTD, 30 patients with AD, and 34 normal controls (NCs), matched for age, education, and severity of dementia, completed the Direct Assessment of Functional Performance (DAFS-BR) and usual cognitive measures. The Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) was completed by caregivers. RESULTS: In DAFS-BR, patients with bvFTD and AD had similar performance but lower than NCs. In DAD, there were no significant differences for effective performance, but patients with bvFTD had lower scores for initiation and planning/organization. Patients with bvFTD were less impaired than AD in cognition. CONCLUSION: Functional changes in bvFTD seem to be better documented by indirect measures.

Apathy is not associated with performance in brief executive tests in patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease.

Neuropsychological correlates of apathy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may shed some light on the neurobiology of this behavioral disorder. Whereas previous research has suggested an association between apathy and executive functions in AD, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) cohorts point to an association with memory tests. We aimed to further investigate this issue in a sample of low educated, hitherto unexposed to cholinesterase inhibitors, aMCI (n=26) and mild AD (n=28) patients using brief executive tests, namely the Executive Interview (EXIT-25) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). Patients and controls (n=33) were included from a community-based survey of successful brain aging in Brazilian elderly (75+ years), The Pietà Study. The participants were submitted to a comprehensively neuropsychological assessment and apathy evaluation through the Apathy Scale (AS).We found a strong correlation in AD group between AS scores and functional performance measured by the Disability Assessment in Dementia (rho =-0.7 ; p<0,001). No association was found between any executive test performance and apathy symptoms. Apathy symptoms were also associated with the performance in memory tests and in the attention subscale of the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale. These findings reinforce the functional effect of apathy even in the mildest stages along the AD cognitive impairment spectrum, and challenges previous assumptions regarding the association between apathy and classical executive functions.

Mattis dementia rating scale (DRS) normative data for the brazilian middle-age and elderly populations / Mattis dementia rating scale (DRS): dados normativos para as populações brasileiras de meia-idade e idosos

OBJECTIVE: To expand norms for the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) for the Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations. METHODS: The DRS was administered to 502 individuals without cognitive deficits, 312 women and 190 men, aged 50 years or over and with educational level ranging from 0 to 13 years or more. The sample was composed of subjects who participated in other studies, from Caeté (Minas Gerais state), Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo state) and São Paulo (São Paulo state). Participants were divided into four schooling groups (illiterate, 1 to 4 years, 5 to 12 years and 13 years or more). The subjects were divided into four groups according to age (50 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, and 80 years or over). RESULTS: Normative data for DRS scores are expressed as percentile values. The group with lowest schooling and subjects older than 80 years had the worst scores. CONCLUSION: As expected, age and education were strongly correlated with DRS scores. Illiterates and older old individuals performed worse than the other groups. These data might help to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations.

OBJETIVO: Expandir normas para o Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) na população brasileira de meia idade e idosa. MÉTODOS: A MDRS foi aplicada em 502 indivíduos, 312 mulheres e 190 homens, com idade de 50 anos ou mais e escolaridade de 0 a 13 anos ou mais anos. A amostra foi composta de sujeitos que participaram de outros estudos: Caeté (Minas Gerais), Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo) e São Paulo (São Paulo). Participantes foram divididos em quatro grupos de escolaridade (analfabetos, 1 a 4 anos, 5 a 12 anos e 13 anos ou mais). Os sujeitos foram divididos em quatro grupos de idade (50 a 60, 61 a 70, 71 a 80 e acima de 80 anos).RESULTADOS: Dados normativos dos escores da MDRS são apresentados em percentis. O grupo com menos escolaridade e sujeitos acima de 80 anos apresentaram escores mais baixos. CONCLUSÃO: Como esperado, idade e escolaridade foram fortemente correlacionados aos escores da MDRS. Analfabetos e indivíduos muito idosos apresentaram pior desempenho que os outros grupos. Os dados podem ajudar a melhorar a acurácia para o diagnóstico de prejuízo cognitivo e demência na população brasileira de meia-idade e idosos.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and applicability of the Brazilian version of the Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS) / Tradução, adaptação transcultural e aplicabilidade da Escala de Estadiamento e Progressão da Degeneração Lobar Frontotemporal

ABSTRACT Background: Staging scales for dementia have been devised for grading Alzheimer's disease (AD) but do not include the specific symptoms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Objective: To translate and adapt the Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS) to Brazilian Portuguese. Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation process consisted of the following steps: translation, back-translation (prepared by independent translators), discussion with specialists, and development of a final version after minor adjustments. A pilot application was carried out with 12 patients diagnosed with bvFTD and 11 with AD, matched for disease severity (CDR=1.0). The evaluation protocol included: Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Executive Interview (EXIT-25), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS) and Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR). Results: The Brazilian version of the FTD-FRS seemed appropriate for use in this country. Preliminary results revealed greater levels of disability in bvFTD than in AD patients (bvFTD: 25% mild, 50% moderate and 25% severe; AD: 36.36% mild, 63.64% moderate). It appears that the CDR underrates disease severity in bvFTD since a relevant proportion of patients rated as having mild dementia (CDR=1.0) in fact had moderate or severe levels of disability according to the FTD-FRS. Conclusion: The Brazilian version of the FTD-FRS seems suitable to aid staging and determining disease progression.

RESUMO Introdução: As escalas de estadiamento das demências, como a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), foram elaboradas para graduar a doença de Alzheimer (DA) e não incluem os sintomas específicos da degeneração lobar frontotemporal (DLFT). Objetivo: Realizar a tradução e adaptação cultural da Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS) para o contexto brasileiro e apresentar dados preliminares da sua aplicabilidade. Métodos: O processo de adaptação transcultural consistiu em: tradução, retrotradução (realizadas por tradutores independentes), discussão com especialistas sobre a versão em português e equivalência com a versão original, desenvolvimento da versão final com pequenos ajustes. Foi feita uma aplicação piloto em 12 pacientes com diagnóstico de demência frontotemporal variante comportamental (DFTvc) e 11 com DA, pareados quanto à gravidade da demência (CDR=1). O protocolo de avaliação incluiu a Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Executive Interview (EXIT-25), Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico (INP) e a Escala de Avaliação Clínica da Demência (CDR). Resultados: A FTD-FRS na versão brasileira pareceu apropriada. Resultados preliminares revelaram maiores níveis de incapacidade na DFTvc do que em pacientes com DA (DFTvc: 25% leve, 50% moderado, 25% grave; AD: 36.36% leve, 63.64% moderado). A CDR parece subestimar a gravidade da demência na DFTvc, uma vez que uma relevante proporção dos pacientes classificados com leves (CDR=1) de fato apresentaram nível moderado ou grave de comprometimento na FTD-FRS. Conclusão: A versão brasileira da FTD-FRS pode se mostrar adequada para auxiliar no estadiamento e determinar a progressão da DLFT.

Functional profile of patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) compared to patients with Alzheimer's disease and normal controls / Perfil funcional de pacientes com demência frontotemporal variante comportamental (bvDFT) em comparação com pacientes com doença de Alzheimer e controles normais

ABSTRACT There are few studies describing the functional changes in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and it is not clear which aspects of functionality are affected by the disease. Objective: The aim of the present investigation was to characterize the functional profile of patients previously diagnosed with bvFTD. Methods: The sample consisted of 31 patients diagnosed with bvFTD, who were compared to patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n=31) and to healthy control subjects (NC) (n=34), matched for schooling and age. bvFTD and AD patients were matched by severity of dementia. The protocol included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS-BR), Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) and the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR). Results: The group with bvFTD showed worse performance on Initiation and Planning/Organization in the DAD and on ability to feed oneself in the DAFS-BR, as well as higher scores on the PFAQ, suggesting greater dependence in the bvFTD group. Conclusion: The results suggest that individuals with bvFTD display greater functional impairment compared to AD patients with a similar degree of dementia severity and to healthy controls. Direct assessment of functionality proved unable to clearly differentiate between the dementia subtypes.

RESUMO Existem poucos estudos sobre alterações funcionais na variante comportamental da demência frontotemporal (DFTvc). Objetivo: Caracterizar o desempenho funcional de pacientes com diagnóstico prévio de DFTvc. Métodos: Trinta e um pacientes com DFTvc foram comparados a pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) (n=31) e adultos saudáveis (NC) (n=34), pareados para idade e escolaridade. Os pacientes com DFTvc e DA foram pareados pela gravidade da demência. O protocolo incluiu o Mini Exame do Estado Mental, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS), Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS-BR), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ) e Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR). Resultados: O grupo com DFTvc apresentou pior desempenho em Iniciação e Planejamento/Organização na DAD, em Alimentação na DAFS-BR e pontuação mais elevada na PFAQ, sugerindo que a dependência na DFTvc é mais acentuada. Conclusão: Os resultados apresentados sugerem que indivíduos com DFTvc apresentam maior prejuízo funcional, quando comparados com participantes com DA com grau semelhante de gravidade e com adultos saudáveis. A avaliação direta da funcionalidade não ajudou a diferenciar os subtipos de demência de modo significativo.

Functional profile of patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) compared to patients with Alzheimer's disease and normal controls.

There are few studies describing the functional changes in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and it is not clear which aspects of functionality are affected by the disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to characterize the functional profile of patients previously diagnosed with bvFTD. METHODS: The sample consisted of 31 patients diagnosed with bvFTD, who were compared to patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n=31) and to healthy control subjects (NC) (n=34), matched for schooling and age. bvFTD and AD patients were matched by severity of dementia. The protocol included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS-BR), Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) and the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR). RESULTS: The group with bvFTD showed worse performance on Initiation and Planning/Organization in the DAD and on ability to feed oneself in the DAFS-BR, as well as higher scores on the PFAQ, suggesting greater dependence in the bvFTD group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that individuals with bvFTD display greater functional impairment compared to AD patients with a similar degree of dementia severity and to healthy controls. Direct assessment of functionality proved unable to clearly differentiate between the dementia subtypes.

Existem poucos estudos sobre alterações funcionais na variante comportamental da demência frontotemporal (DFTvc). OBJETIVO: Caracterizar o desempenho funcional de pacientes com diagnóstico prévio de DFTvc. MÉTODOS: Trinta e um pacientes com DFTvc foram comparados a pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) (n=31) e adultos saudáveis (NC) (n=34), pareados para idade e escolaridade. Os pacientes com DFTvc e DA foram pareados pela gravidade da demência. O protocolo incluiu o Mini Exame do Estado Mental, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS), Direct Assessment of Functional Status (DAFS-BR), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD), Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ) e Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR). RESULTADOS: O grupo com DFTvc apresentou pior desempenho em Iniciação e Planejamento/Organização na DAD, em Alimentação na DAFS-BR e pontuação mais elevada na PFAQ, sugerindo que a dependência na DFTvc é mais acentuada. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados apresentados sugerem que indivíduos com DFTvc apresentam maior prejuízo funcional, quando comparados com participantes com DA com grau semelhante de gravidade e com adultos saudáveis. A avaliação direta da funcionalidade não ajudou a diferenciar os subtipos de demência de modo significativo.

Translation, cross-cultural adaptation and applicability of the Brazilian version of the Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS).

BACKGROUND: Staging scales for dementia have been devised for grading Alzheimer's disease (AD) but do not include the specific symptoms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). OBJECTIVE: To translate and adapt the Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS) to Brazilian Portuguese. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation process consisted of the following steps: translation, back-translation (prepared by independent translators), discussion with specialists, and development of a final version after minor adjustments. A pilot application was carried out with 12 patients diagnosed with bvFTD and 11 with AD, matched for disease severity (CDR=1.0). The evaluation protocol included: Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Executive Interview (EXIT-25), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS) and Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR). RESULTS: The Brazilian version of the FTD-FRS seemed appropriate for use in this country. Preliminary results revealed greater levels of disability in bvFTD than in AD patients (bvFTD: 25% mild, 50% moderate and 25% severe; AD: 36.36% mild, 63.64% moderate). It appears that the CDR underrates disease severity in bvFTD since a relevant proportion of patients rated as having mild dementia (CDR=1.0) in fact had moderate or severe levels of disability according to the FTD-FRS. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian version of the FTD-FRS seems suitable to aid staging and determining disease progression.

INTRODUÇÃO: As escalas de estadiamento das demências, como a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), foram elaboradas para graduar a doença de Alzheimer (DA) e não incluem os sintomas específicos da degeneração lobar frontotemporal (DLFT). OBJETIVO: Realizar a tradução e adaptação cultural da Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FTD-FRS) para o contexto brasileiro e apresentar dados preliminares da sua aplicabilidade. MÉTODOS: O processo de adaptação transcultural consistiu em: tradução, retrotradução (realizadas por tradutores independentes), discussão com especialistas sobre a versão em português e equivalência com a versão original, desenvolvimento da versão final com pequenos ajustes. Foi feita uma aplicação piloto em 12 pacientes com diagnóstico de demência frontotemporal variante comportamental (DFTvc) e 11 com DA, pareados quanto à gravidade da demência (CDR=1). O protocolo de avaliação incluiu a Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Executive Interview (EXIT-25), Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico (INP) e a Escala de Avaliação Clínica da Demência (CDR). RESULTADOS: A FTD-FRS na versão brasileira pareceu apropriada. Resultados preliminares revelaram maiores níveis de incapacidade na DFTvc do que em pacientes com DA (DFTvc: 25% leve, 50% moderado, 25% grave; AD: 36.36% leve, 63.64% moderado). A CDR parece subestimar a gravidade da demência na DFTvc, uma vez que uma relevante proporção dos pacientes classificados com leves (CDR=1) de fato apresentaram nível moderado ou grave de comprometimento na FTD-FRS. CONCLUSÃO: A versão brasileira da FTD-FRS pode se mostrar adequada para auxiliar no estadiamento e determinar a progressão da DLFT.

Mattis dementia rating scale (DRS) normative data for the brazilian middle-age and elderly populations.

OBJECTIVE: To expand norms for the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) for the Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations. METHODS: The DRS was administered to 502 individuals without cognitive deficits, 312 women and 190 men, aged 50 years or over and with educational level ranging from 0 to 13 years or more. The sample was composed of subjects who participated in other studies, from Caeté (Minas Gerais state), Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo state) and São Paulo (São Paulo state). Participants were divided into four schooling groups (illiterate, 1 to 4 years, 5 to 12 years and 13 years or more). The subjects were divided into four groups according to age (50 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, and 80 years or over). RESULTS: Normative data for DRS scores are expressed as percentile values. The group with lowest schooling and subjects older than 80 years had the worst scores. CONCLUSION: As expected, age and education were strongly correlated with DRS scores. Illiterates and older old individuals performed worse than the other groups. These data might help to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations.

OBJETIVO: Expandir normas para o Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) na população brasileira de meia idade e idosa. MÉTODOS: A MDRS foi aplicada em 502 indivíduos, 312 mulheres e 190 homens, com idade de 50 anos ou mais e escolaridade de 0 a 13 anos ou mais anos. A amostra foi composta de sujeitos que participaram de outros estudos: Caeté (Minas Gerais), Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo) e São Paulo (São Paulo). Participantes foram divididos em quatro grupos de escolaridade (analfabetos, 1 a 4 anos, 5 a 12 anos e 13 anos ou mais). Os sujeitos foram divididos em quatro grupos de idade (50 a 60, 61 a 70, 71 a 80 e acima de 80 anos). RESULTADOS: Dados normativos dos escores da MDRS são apresentados em percentis. O grupo com menos escolaridade e sujeitos acima de 80 anos apresentaram escores mais baixos. CONCLUSÃO: Como esperado, idade e escolaridade foram fortemente correlacionados aos escores da MDRS. Analfabetos e indivíduos muito idosos apresentaram pior desempenho que os outros grupos. Os dados podem ajudar a melhorar a acurácia para o diagnóstico de prejuízo cognitivo e demência na população brasileira de meia-idade e idosos.

Brazilian version of the Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-revised in the diagnosis of mild Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the accuracy of the Brazilian version of the Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination-revised (ACE-R) in the diagnosis of mild Alzheimer disease (AD). BACKGROUND: The ACE-R is an accurate and brief cognitive battery for the detection of mild dementia, especially for the discrimination between AD and frontotemporal dementia. METHODS: The battery was administered to 31 patients with mild AD and 62 age-matched and education-matched cognitively healthy controls. Both groups were selected using the Dementia Rating Scale and were submitted to the ACE-R. Depression was ruled out in both groups by the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. The performance of patients and controls in the ACE-R was compared and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was undertaken to ascertain the accuracy of the instrument for the diagnosis of mild AD. RESULTS: The mean scores at the ACE-R were 63.10+/-10.22 points for patients with AD and 83.63+/-7.90 points for controls. The cut-off score <78 yielded high diagnostic accuracy (receiver operator characteristic area under the curve=0.947), with 100% sensitivity, 82.26% specificity, 73.8% positive predictive value, and 100% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian version of the ACE-R displayed high diagnostic accuracy for the identification of mild AD in the studied sample.

Brazilian caregiver version of the Apathy Scale / Versão brasileira direcionada ao cuidador da Escala de Apatia

Abstract: No Brazilian version of a specific scale for evaluating apathy in dementia is available. Objectives: To introduce a translated version of the Apathy Scale (AS) for use with caregivers. Methods: The instrument was formally translated and then administered to the caregivers of a small sample of dementia patients, in order to assess scale comprehensibility and make final adjustments. The scale was subsequently administered to the caregivers of a second, independent sample of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The content validity of the scale was tested by correlating the AS scores with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) - apathy sub-score and Disability Assessment in Dementia (DAD) total scores. Results: The first sample consisted of eleven subjects with dementia, most of whom had AD. The second sample comprised twenty patients with probable or possible AD (10 with mild dementia), a mean age of 84.1±5.8 years, and 2.2±1.6 years of schooling. The AS scores correlated with both NPI-apathy sub-score (r=0.756, p=0.001) and DAD total scores (r=?0.793, p=0.0005). Conclusions: The final version had good comprehensibility and correlated strongly with standardized apathy and functional activities of daily living measures.

Resumo: Não há versão brasileira de qualquer escala especificamente dedicada à avaliação de apatia nas demências. Objetivos: Apresentar uma versão traduzida da Escala de Apatia direcionada ao cuidador. Métodos: O instrumento foi formalmente traduzido e administrado aos cuidadores de uma pequena amostra de pacientes com demência, para avaliar a compreensibilidade da versão e realizar ajustes finais. Em seguida a escala foi administrada aos cuidadores de uma segunda amostra independente de pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA). A validade de conteúdo da escala foi testada correlacionando-se os escores da Escala de Apatia com os subescores de apatia do Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico (NPI) e com os escores totais da escala DAD de incapacidade na demência. Resultados: A primeira amostra consistia de onze pacientes com demência, a maioria com doença de Alzheimer (DA). A segunda amostra possuía vinte pacientes com DA provável ou possível (10 com demência leve), média de idade de 84,1±5,8 anos e escolaridade média de 2,2±1,6 anos. Os escores na Escala de Apatia correlacionaram-se com o subescore apatia do NPI (r=0,756; p=0,001) e com os escores totais da DAD (r=?0,793; p=0,0005). Conclusões: A versão final apresentou boa compreensibilidade e correlacionou-se fortemente com medidas padronizadas de apatia e atividades de vida diária.

Sobrecarga do cuidador em demência em uma amostra Brasileira: associação com sintomas neuropsiquiátricos / Dementia caregiver burden in a Brazilian sample: Association to neuropsychiatric symptoms

Taking care of elderly demented individuals, especially when they present behavioral changes, can be very exhaustive for both family and caregivers. Generally, this leads to changes in the family lifestyle, and the caregiver must deal with a range of problems. Information on this topic in Latin America, including Brazil, remains scarce. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and the level of caregiver burden in a group of Brazilian elderly with dementia. Methods: The Brazilian versions of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) and of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were administered to a total of 83 family-caregivers of patients with dementia followed at a university-affiliated outpatient clinic. Pearson's correlations were calculated to measure the level of association between the scores on both instruments. Results: Among the caregivers, 83.1% were women, and had a mean age of 55.6±12.8 years. The ZBI scores ranged from 3 to 79 (mean=31.4). Patients' NPI scores ranged from 0 to 102 (mean=26.9), consistent with a significant degree of behavioral manifestations in most patients. A significant positive correlation was found between ZBI and NPI scores (r=0.402; p=0.000). Conclusion: The presence and severity of behavioral manifestations assessed by the NPI were associated with a high level of caregiver burden in this sample of Brazilian elderly with dementia.

Cuidar de idosos com demência, especialmente se eles apresentam transtornos de comportamento, pode ser extremantente exaustivo para os familiares e cuidadores. Geralmente, ocorrem mudanças no estilo de vida da família, e o cuidador precisa lidar com grande diversidade de problemas. Informações sobre este tema na América Latina, incluindo o Brasil, ainda permanece escasso. Objetivo: Investigar a relação entre a presença de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos e o nível de sobrecarga do cuidador em um grupo de idosos brasileiros com demência. Métodos: As versões brasileiras do Inventário de Sobrecarga de Zarit (ISZ) e do Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico (INP) foram administrados a um total de 83 cuidadores-familiares de pacientes com demência acompanhados em um ambulatório universitário. A correlação de Pearson foi calculada para medir o nível de associação entre os escores em ambos os instrumentos. Resultados: Entre os cuidadores, 83,1% eram mulheres, com idade média de 55,6±12,8 anos. Os escores do ISZ variaram entre 3 a 79 (média=31,4). Os escores do INP dos pacientes alcaçaram escores entre 0 a 102 (média=26,9), compatível com elevado grau de manifestações comportamentais na maioria dos pacientes. Uma correlação positiva significativa foi encontrada entre os escores obtidos no ISZ e o INP (r=0,402; p=0,000). Conclusão: A presença e a gravidade das manifestações comportamentais avaliadas pelo INP estão associadas ao alto nível de sobrecarga do cuidador nesta amostra de idosos brasileiros com demência.

Normative data for healthy elderly on the phonemic verbal fluency task - FAS.

Phonemic verbal fluency tests assess the production of words beginning with specific letters. Of these letters, the most frequently used are F, A and S. It is a sensitive test for assessing frontal lobe functions. OBJECTIVE: To provide normative data for the elderly Brazilian population on the FAS test and to investigate the effects of age and schooling on test performance. METHODS: The individuals were divided into three age groups (60-69, 70-79 and =80 years), and into four groups according to education (1-3, 4-7, 8-11 and 12 years). All subjects were assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination and the FAS. Data were analyzed with Student's t test, ANOVA, simple linear regression and Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: We evaluated 345 cognitively healthy volunteers, 66.66% being female, aged 60 to 93 years, with an educational level ranging from one to 24 years. The average (number of items) ±SD for the whole sample was 28.28±11.53. No significant effect of gender was observed (p=0.5). Performance on the MMSE and education exerted a direct influence on FAS scores (p<0.001), with education being the most significant factor. A positive correlation was found between FAS and the MMSE (r=0.404; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The performance of Brazilian elderly on the phonemic verbal fluency tests-FAS is significantly influenced by education, where individuals with higher educational level present better performance than those with fewer years of schooling. Age and gender did not prove significant with the FAS.

Testes de fluência verbal fonêmica avaliam a produção de palavras que se iniciam com determinadas letras. Destas, as mais utilizadas são F, A e S. É um teste sensível para avaliar funções do lobo frontal. OBJETIVO: Estabelecer dados normativos para a população idosa brasileira no teste de fluência verbal fonêmica FAS e investigar os efeitos da idade e escolaridade no mesmo teste. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Os sujeitos foram divididos em três grupos de idade (60­69, 70­79 e =80 anos) e quatro de escolaridade (1­3, 4­7, 8­11, ≥12 anos). Todos foram avaliados pelo Mini-Exame do Estado Mental e fluência verbal fonêmica FAS. Os dados foram analisados com o test t de Student, ANOVA, regressão linear simples e correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados 345 idosos cognitivamente saudáveis, 66,66% do gênero feminino, idade entre 60 e 93 anos e escolaridade entre 01 e 24 anos. A média (número de itens) ±DP na amostra toda foi 28.28±11.53. Não houve influência do gênero nos resultados (p=0.5). A performance no MEEM e o nível educacional exerceram influência direta nos escores do FAS (p<0.001), com a educação sendo o fator mais importante. Uma correlação positiva foi encontrada entre os escores no FAS e MEEM (r=0.404; p<0.001). CONCLUSÃO: O desempenho de idosos brasileiros no Teste de Fluência Verbal Fonêmica ­ FAS é significativamente influenciado pelo grau de escolaridade, com os indivíduos com nível educacional mais elevado apresentando desempenho superior àqueles com menos tempo de estudo formal. Idade e gênero não apresentaram significância com o FAS.

Dementia caregiver burgen in a brasilian sample: Association to neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Taking care of elderly demented individuals, especially when they present behavioral changes, can be very exhaustive for both family and caregivers. Generally, this leads to changes in the family lifestyle, and the caregiver must deal with a range of problems. Information on this topic in Latin America, including Brazil, remains scarce. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and the level of caregiver burden in a group of Brazilian elderly with dementia. METHODS: The Brazilian versions of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) and of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were administered to a total of 83 family-caregivers of patients with dementia followed at a university-affiliated outpatient clinic. Pearson's correlations were calculated to measure the level of association between the scores on both instruments. RESULTS: Among the caregivers, 83.1% were women, and had a mean age of 55.6±12.8 years. The ZBI scores ranged from 3 to 79 (mean=31.4). Patients' NPI scores ranged from 0 to 102 (mean=26.9), consistent with a significant degree of behavioral manifestations in most patients. A significant positive correlation was found between ZBI and NPI scores (r=0.402; p=0.000). CONCLUSION: The presence and severity of behavioral manifestations assessed by the NPI were associated with a high level of caregiver burden in this sample of Brazilian elderly with dementia.

Cuidar de idosos com demência, especialmente se eles apresentam transtornos de comportamento, pode ser extremantente exaustivo para os familiares e cuidadores. Geralmente, ocorrem mudanças no estilo de vida da família, e o cuidador precisa lidar com grande diversidade de problemas. Informações sobre este tema na América Latina, incluindo o Brasil, ainda permanece escasso. OBJETIVO: Investigar a relação entre a presença de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos e o nível de sobrecarga do cuidador em um grupo de idosos brasileiros com demência. MÉTODOS: As versões brasileiras do Inventário de Sobrecarga de Zarit (ISZ) e do Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico (INP) foram administrados a um total de 83 cuidadores-familiares de pacientes com demência acompanhados em um ambulatório universitário. A correlação de Pearson foi calculada para medir o nível de associação entre os escores em ambos os instrumentos. RESULTADOS: Entre os cuidadores, 83,1% eram mulheres, com idade média de 55,6±12,8 anos. Os escores do ISZ variaram entre 3 a 79 (média=31,4). Os escores do INP dos pacientes alcaçaram escores entre 0 a 102 (média=26,9), compatível com elevado grau de manifestações comportamentais na maioria dos pacientes. Uma correlação positiva significativa foi encontrada entre os escores obtidos no ISZ e o INP (r=0,402; p=0,000). CONCLUSÃO: A presença e a gravidade das manifestações comportamentais avaliadas pelo INP estão associadas ao alto nível de sobrecarga do cuidador nesta amostra de idosos brasileiros com demência.