Fast Five Quiz: Alzheimer's Disease Signs and Symptoms

Jasvinder P. Chawla, MD, MBA

February 22, 2022

The accumulation of senile plaques often precedes the clinical onset of AD. The presence of NFTs, as well as loss of neurons and synapses, can accompany the worsening of cognitive decline. In clinical trials, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NFPs) are often assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. A meta-analysis of studies using this scale found that apathy was the most common neuropsychiatric symptom in patients with AD, followed by depression, aggression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritability, appetite disturbances, motor problems, delusions, disinhibition, hallucinations, and euphoria.

Although the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the early stages of dementia may predict disease progression, it is not clear whether their presence signals a more aggressive form of disease.

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of AD.

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Cite this: Jasvinder P. Chawla. Fast Five Quiz: Alzheimer's Disease Signs and Symptoms - Medscape - Feb 22, 2022.

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