OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to demonstrate that negative
symptoms are prominent in patients with Alzheimer's disease and are
distinct from depression. METHOD: patients with Alzheimer's disease (N=24)
and a group of cognitively intact older adults (N=26) were compared in
terms of scores on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms in
Alzheimer's Disease. RESULTS: Negative symptoms were more severe in
patients with Alzheimer's disease than in the healthy elderly comparison
subjects. Among the patients with Alzheimer's disease, negative symptoms
were correlated with dementia severity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with
Alzheimer's disease display little interest in self-care, work and
household tasks, social and family activities, and emotional needs of
others, despite an absence of depressive symptoms, positive symptoms,
comorbid systemic illnesses, or medication exposure. Such negative symptoms
may contribute to functional disability and thus complicate management of
such patients.Abstract Teaser