Apathy and depression in amnestic and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment

The information regarding neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with the main subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is inadequate. Indeed, it is unclear whether patients with amnestic MCI (aMCI) and those with non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) are characterized by a different behavioral profile and whether the decline in the activities of daily living (ADL) is different between the two groups. Therefore, the main aim of the study is to describe the behavioral and functional profile of the two MCI subgroups and to determine whether apathy and depression are associated with functional autonomy

The Italian version of the alternative form of Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS/AF): normative values from 260 Italian healthy subjects

Introduction: The Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) is a comprehensive PD-specific cognitive scale which assesses both fronto-subcortical and cortical functions. The original version of the PD-CRS is a valid and reliable instrument to screen for and diagnose PD-MCI. Although this battery was translated and validated into Italian language, an alternative form (AF) should be useful to minimize practice effect in test-retest conditions. The main aim of the present study was to validate the Italian version of the AF of the PD-CRS (PD-CRS/AF) and to collect normative values in a sample of Italian healthy adult and older population. Materials and methods: We adapted the PD-CRS/AF to Italian language, then 260 participants of different ages (age range 40-89 years) and educational levels (from primary school to university) underwent the PD-CRS/AF. Regression-based norming was used to explore the influence of demographic variables (age, education level, sex) on total score, cortical and subcortical scores, and for the score on each single subtest of the PD-CRS/AF. Results: Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age and education are significantly associated with the total score and the two sub-scores, whereas no significant effect of sex was revealed. A correction grid for raw scores was developed and inferential cut-off and equivalent scores for each sub-test were provided. Conclusions: The present study provides the first Italian translation of PD-CRS/AF and normative data to correct the scores according to relevant demographic variables, allowing clinicians to detect cognitive changes over time by means of a valid and reliable cognitive screening instrument

“Pure apathy” and cognitive dysfunctions in Parkinson's disease: A meta-analytic study

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms such as cognitive deficit and behavioural disturbances. Apathy seems to be related to cognitive impairment, but some studies failed to confirm the relationship due to different methodological procedures across studies. A meta-analysis on 8 studies was performed to explore the cognitive correlates of apathy without depression and dementia (pure apathy). Global cognitive function, memory, executive functions, processing speed/attention/working memory, visuospatial abilities and language were the outcomes. The effect size of the relationship between “pure apathy” and reduced global cognitive functioning, executive functions, processing speed/attention/working memory, visuospatial functions, long-term verbal memory was moderate, whereas apathy was strongly associated with inhibition dysfunctioning. Our results revealed a strong association between “pure apathy” and cognitive dysfunctions, particularly deficit of memory and executive functions related to altered prefronto-subcortical circuitries

A longitudinal study on the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease

The COVID-19 pandemic led to psychological consequences on people's mental health, representing a condition of increased vulnerability for the weakest sections of population, including elderly patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This longitudinal study aimed at exploring the impact of the most frequent non-motor symptoms and their contribute on health-related quality of life of PD patients after the COVID-19 outbreak, in comparison with the pre-pandemic status

Meta-Analysis of Personality Traits in Alzheimer's Disease: A Comparison with Healthy Subjects

The role of specific personality traits as factor risks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been consistently found, whereas personality traits specifically related to AD (after the diagnosis) have not been outlined yet

Personality and Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis

Introduction: Personality changes are considered pre-motor features of Parkinson's disease (PD). Cross-sectional studies revealed that PD patients were more introvert, apprehensive, and cautious than healthy subjects (HS), whereas other studies failed to disclose these behavioural traits. Some studies found mixed results concerning Novelty Seeking (NS) and Harm Avoidance (HA) profiles in PD patients. To better clarify the personality profile in PD we performed a meta-analysis on studies exploring such topic according to both Cloninger's Psychobiological Model (PM) and Big Five Model (BFM) Methods: The meta-analysis included 17 studies evaluating the personality in PD patients compared with HS. The outcomes were the dimensions of the temperament and character of the PM and personality traits of BFM. Effect sizes from data reported in the primary studies were computed using Hedges'g unbiased approach. Heterogeneity among the studies and publication bias were assessed. Meta-regressions were conducted with age at evaluation, gender, schooling, and type of personality trait tools as moderators. Results: As for PM, PD patients scored higher on HA and lower on NS than HS. No difference was found on Reward Dependence, Perseverance/Persistence and on character level. As for BFM, higher levels of Neuroticism, but lower levels of Openness and Extraversion were associated with PD. Discussion: The personality profile in PD is characterized by high Neuroticism and HA, and by low Openness, Extraversion and NS. The personality profile delineated in the present study on PD patients seems to reflect the premorbid one and might contribute to development and persistence of affective disorders

The Cognitive Profile of Atypical Parkinsonism: A Meta-Analysis

Atypical Parkinsonism (AP) syndromes are characterized by a wide spectrum of non-motor symptoms including prominent attentional and executive deficits. However, the cognitive profile of AP and its differences and similarities with that of Parkinson's Disease (PD) are still a matter of debate. The present meta-analysis aimed at identifying patterns of cognitive impairment in AP by comparing global cognitive functioning, memory, executive functions, visuospatial abilities, language, non-verbal reasoning, and processing speed test performances of patients with AP relative to healthy controls and patients with PD. All investigated cognitive domains showed a substantial impairment in patients with AP compared to healthy controls. When AP syndromes were considered separately, their cognitive functioning was distributed along a continuum from Multiple Systemic Atrophy at one extreme, with the least impaired cognitive profile (similar to that observed in PD) to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, with the greatest decline in global cognitive and executive functioning (similar to Corticobasal Syndrome). These findings indicate that widespread cognitive impairment could represent an important clinical indicator to distinguish AP from other movement disorders

Personality profile and depression in migraine: a meta-analysis

Despite the clinical importance of psychological factors in migraine, the relationship between personality traits, depression, and migraine has been poorly investigated