Neuropsychiatric symptoms and cerebrovascular risk in non-demented elders: cross-sectional study using the mild behavioural impairment checklist (MBI-C)

Author(s)

Stella, Florindo ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Pais, V, Marcos ; Loureiro, Julia C. ^{[4, 5]} ; Radanovic, Marcia ^{[4, 5]} ; Forlenza, V, Orestes

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] V, Univ Sao Paulo HCFMUSP, Hosp Clin Fac Med, Dept & Inst Psiquiatria, Lab Neurosci LIM 27, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] V, Conselho Nacl Desenvolvimento Cientif & Tecnol, Inst Nacl Biomarcadores Neuropsiquiatria InB, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Pais, Marcos, V, V, Univ Sao Paulo HCFMUSP, Hosp Clin Fac Med, Dept & Inst Psiquiatria, Lab Neurosci LIM 27, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Pais, Marcos, V, V, Conselho Nacl Desenvolvimento Cientif & Tecnol, Inst Nacl Biomarcadores Neuropsiquiatria InB, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PSYCHOGERIATRICS; OCT 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) may represent early clinical manifestations of evolving brain diseases. Studies underpin the occurrence of NPS in the context of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and prodromal Alzheimer's disease, where symptoms referred to as `mild behavioural impairment' (MBI) have been shown to predict conversion to dementia and to hasten cognitive/functional decline. However, the association between NPS and cerebrovascular risk factors has been poorly investigated, despite the high prevalence of the latter among individuals with MCI. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between MBI and cerebrovascular risk in a clinical sample of non-demented elders. Methods Sixty-five MCI and 15 cognitively unimpaired older adults were cross-sectionally assessed with the Mild Behavioural Impairment Checklist (MBI-C), using the cut-off score > 6.5 to define positive screening. Participants were submitted to the Hachinski Ischaemic Score (HIS) to account for cerebrovascular symptoms, vascular risk, and related comorbidities. Neuroimaging scans (magnetic resonance imaging and/or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography) and apolipoprotein E genotype were obtained. Results Positive associations were found between total MBI-C scores and increasing number of comorbidities present (0-2 comorbidities), but not with three comorbidities. Two domains of the MBI-C-impulse dyscontrol and social inappropriateness-followed the same trend of the MBI-C total score, with higher scores with the increasing numbers of comorbidities. No significant associations were found between MBI symptoms and HIS or cerebrovascular burden in neuroimaging assessment. Conclusion We found weak associations between MBI-C total score and the presence of comorbidities with cerebrovascular risk, but not with structural or functional neuroimaging abnormalities or HIS. This finding may represent that the presence of comorbidities adds limited risk to the occurrence of MBI in this sample of non-demented elders. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/01302-9 - Direct and indirect pathways of glycogen synthase kinase 3B inhibition by lithium in culture of neurons
• Grantee: Vanessa de Jesus Rodrigues de Paula
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/50873-3 - INCT 2014: National Institute of Biomarkers in Neuropsychiatry
• Grantee: Wagner Farid Gattaz
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants