Maria L. Zorzitto

The NINCDS‐ADRDA Work Group criteria for the clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease A clinicopathologic study of 57 cases

Neuropathologic confirmation is required to validate the NINCDS-ADRDA Work Group criteria for the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimers disease (AD). Neuropathologic inclusion and exclusion criteria for AD, however, are not uniform. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the confirmation rate for the Work Group criteria against differing neuropathologic criteria for AD. The sample consisted of 57 cases, 22 of which had received a clinical diagnosis of AD. Nine neuropathologic criteria for AD were applied in a blind fashion to each of the 57 cases. Our results indicated that, depending on the neuropathologic criteria applied, the clinicopathologic agreement ranged from 64% to 86%. These findings demonstrate the need for universally accepted neuropathologic and clinical criteria for AD.

WAIS-R Test-retest reliability in a normal elderly sample

We examined the 1-year test-retest reliability of WAIS-R Verbal, Performance, and Full-Scale IQs in a sample of 101 older normal individuals (mean age = 67.1). The respective Pearson rs were .86, .85, and .90. The median retest reliability coefficient for the WAIS-R subtests was .71. The test-retest reliability for the Verbal-Performance Discrepancy was .69. These data indicate that IQ scores are reliable in older normal individuals for this retest interval, but less confidence can be placed in the reliability of subtest scores and the Verbal-Performance Discrepancy.

On the Clinical Value of the London Psychogeriatric Rating Scale

The London Psychogeriatric Rating Scale (LPRS) was administered to 76 probable Alzheimers patients, 59 patients with dementia unrelated to Alzheimers, 102 neurologically normal subjects, and 27 patients with symptoms of both Alzheimers and dementia of other etiologies. By examining the relationships among the four subscales of the LPRS and conducting factor analyses, it was demonstrated that the four subscales were not measuring different phenomena. The internal consistency of the full 36‐item scale was high (Cronbachs Alpha = 0.96) indicating the total LPRS score provided a reliable global index of behavioral function. The total LPRS scores correlated with the independently administered Goldfarb Mental Status Examination scores (r = −0.79). The LPRS differentiated between the normals and the combined demented groups and between inpatients and outpatients. The LPRS continues to have clinical value for functional assessments in a non‐intrusive manner. The LPRS may be particularly useful in situations where direct assessment of mental status is not practical.

Urodynamic Characterization of Incontinence in the Elderly by Bladder Volume

Incontinence in the elderly patient usually is of the urgency pattern owing to inappropriate detrusor contraction often termed detrusor instability. We herein describe a bladder volume-based method of urodynamic assessment that may help to characterize subsets of incontinent patients with detrusor instability. The conventional parameters of flow, pressure and electromyography are more difficult to measure and may be less appropriate for selection of therapy.

A brief neuropsychological battery for the differential diagnosis of probable alzheimer's disease

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop a brief battery of tests to distinguish patients with Alzheimers disease (AD) from normal controls and from patients with other dementias (OD). The sample included 35 AD patients and 35 OD patients (matched on mental status) and a normal control group (n = 108). All participants underwent a neuropsychological assessment and were rated on the London Psychogeriatric Rating Scale (LPRS). Logistic regression analyses (with backward stepping) accurately classified 94% of the normal controls and demented patients with a delayed recall test. The same test and the Disengagement Scale of the LPRS accurately classified 74% of the AD and OD patients. These findings were replicated with a second random assortment of AD and OD subjects matched again on mental status. These results indicate that if the purpose of the assessment is to distinguish AD from other dementias, these two tests may be most useful.