Relevance of psychiatric symptoms at the onset of Alzheimer's dementia type

Although research on dementia often focuses on the cognitive and mnesic deficits which are characteristic of the illness, psychiatric symptoms such as depression, insomnia, anxiety, difficulties in sleeping, delusions and hallucinations, are of greater significance, especially at the onset of AD presenting itself in 1/3 of AD patients. 13 patients affected by Alzheimer' disease at its onset, of both sexes, aging from 45 to 30 years were studied. Psychopathological symptoms, particularly depressive symptomatology negatively influenced ability to carry out the most common daily tasks of the patients and behavioural performances while no relations were found at the onset of illness between the deterioration of cognitive performances and a worsening in the behavioural aspects.