Publication Date: 2021/02/10
Abstract: Background: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia up to date. AD is characterized by the progressive impairment of neurocognitive functions and behavioral manifestations that interfere with daily life. AD represents the fourth cause of death in Puerto Rico, highlighting the pressing need to identify neuropsychological profiles of the pathology in this population to promote early diagnosis and facilitate individualized neuropsychological rehabilitation. This study explored the demographics and neuropsychological performance of Puerto Ricans with AD to assess specific neurocognitive patterns that contribute to the identification, staging, and tracking of the progression of the disease. Methods: We completed a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation to 95 Puerto Rican adults with AD aged 65 and older and compared results with the norms of a healthy Hispanic population. Results: Participants with AD showed poor verbal memory and learning followed by attention, language, verbal fluency, visuospatial and motor deficits. Additionally, having advanced age and low education achievement showed a significant negative impact on neurocognitive functioning. Conclusions: The pattern of the neurocognitive deficits shown in Puerto Ricans with AD are characteristic of a frontotemporal presentation of the AD. Understanding this pattern may allow early AD symptom detection and further neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Neurocognitive Domains, Neuropsychological Profile, Puerto Rico.
DOI: No DOI Available
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT21JAN695.pdf
REFERENCES