OBJECTIVE: The authors explored whether personal or family history of
major mental illness, negative symptoms, or behavioral measures are
associated with positive psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. METHOD:
Fifty-seven patients with Alzheimer's disease were studied prospectively
during interviews with the patients and their primary caregivers. RESULTS:
Psychotic patients with Alzheimer's disease did not differ in cognitive
functioning from nonpsychotic patients with Alzheimer's disease. No
association was found between personal or family history of mental illness
and psychosis. Asociality was the only negative symptom associated with
psychosis. Psychotic patients had more behavioral disturbances.
CONCLUSIONS: Positive psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease are not
associated with certain aspects of cerebral functioning but are associated
with behavioral disturbances.
Abstract Teaser