In his classic case, Alzheimer described cognitive symptoms such as
amnesia, aphasia, and apraxia and noncognitive symptoms such as delusions
and agitation. Recent studies have suggested that depression also occurs in
Alzheimer's disease. In this study, 144 patients who met criteria for
Alzheimer's disease were examined for depression on a modified version of
the Present State Examination. The prevalence rate of major depression was
17%. The depressed Alzheimer's disease patients were more cognitively
impaired and more disabled than the nondepressed patients. Studies are
needed to clarify the etiology and treatment of depression in Alzheimer's
disease.Abstract Teaser