Neurological Soft Signs in Neurodegenerative Dementias

University of Milano Bicocca186 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to investigate the prevalence of Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) in various categories of dementia patients compared to matched controls. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the prevalence of NSS significantly differ among patients with neurodegenerative dementias compared to controls? * Are NSS associated with neuropsychiatric alterations in dementia patients? * Do NSS correlate with cognitive screening tools? * Do NSS increase over time in patients with neurodegenerative dementias? Participants will undergo assessments including: * Evaluation of NSS using the Heidelberg scale * Neuropsychiatric assessments * Cognitive screening using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) Researchers will compare dementia groups (Alzheimer's disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Corticobasal syndrome and Lewy body dementia) to controls to determine differences in NSS prevalence. Additionally, associations between NSS and neuropsychiatric symptoms, as well as cognitive performance, will be explored.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

186

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease Dementia With Lewy Bodies Frontotemporal Dementia Corticobasal Degeneration

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS), or probable Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) according to established clinical criteria. * MMSE score greater than 10. * Age and gender-matched controls without a history of neurological or psychiatric conditions. Exclusion Criteria: * Mixed dementia or vascular etiology. * History of neurological or psychiatric conditions predating the dementia diagnosis. * Substance or alcohol abuse history. * Known comorbidities affecting neurological or psychiatric function. * MMSE score less than or equal to 10. * Inability to provide informed consent.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Difference in NSS

Difference in Neurological Soft Signs according to the Heidelberg manual between neurodegenerative dementias and controls (range 0-48, higher scores indicate worse performance)

Time frame: 0 days (baseline)

Secondary Outcomes

Association between NSS and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scores

Correlation between NSS and NPI (range 0-144) (higher values indicate better correlation)

Time frame: 0 days (baseline)

Correlation between NSS scores and cognitive function assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Correlation between NSS and MMSE (range 0-30) (higher values indicate better correlation)

Time frame: 0 days (baseline)

Correlation between NSS scores and cognitive function assessed by Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB)

Correlation between NSS and FAB (range 0-18) (higher values indicate better correlation)

Time frame: 0 days (baseline)

Longitudinal changes in NSS scores

Longitudinal differences in NSS scores in subjects with neurodegenerative dementia (range 0-48) (higher scores indicate worse performance)

Time frame: 12 months

Neurological Soft Signs in Neurodegenerative Dementias

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes