M Defrancesco1, G Kemmler, R Huber, E A Deisenhammer. 1. Universitätsklinik für Allgemeine und Sozialpsychiatrie, Abteilung für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich, michaela.defrancesco@i-med.ac.at.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Mental activities have been suggested to influence the risk and course of dementia. This study was performed in order to assess the association of various mental activities with diagnosis and cognitive functions in an elderly population. METHODS: A total of 191 memory clinic patients (mean age 71.7 ± 10.7 years) were included in this study. Participants completed a standardized neuropsychological test battery, a clinical interview, and a semistructured interview to assess mental activities. RESULTS: Of the 191 patients, 39 were diagnosed as cognitively intact, 72 had mild cognitive impairment, and 80 mild Alzheimer's disease. Group comparisons of mental activity scores revealed differences for the variables art, culture, media consumption, travelling, and cognitive activities. Correlation analysis showed a significant association of culture, media consumption, travelling, and cognitive activities with cognitive functions. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mental activities may influence the extent of cognitive impairment and possibly the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
INTRODUCTION: Mental activities have been suggested to influence the risk and course of dementia. This study was performed in order to assess the association of various mental activities with diagnosis and cognitive functions in an elderly population. METHODS: A total of 191 memory clinic patients (mean age 71.7 ± 10.7 years) were included in this study. Participants completed a standardized neuropsychological test battery, a clinical interview, and a semistructured interview to assess mental activities. RESULTS: Of the 191 patients, 39 were diagnosed as cognitively intact, 72 had mild cognitive impairment, and 80 mild Alzheimer's disease. Group comparisons of mental activity scores revealed differences for the variables art, culture, media consumption, travelling, and cognitive activities. Correlation analysis showed a significant association of culture, media consumption, travelling, and cognitive activities with cognitive functions. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that mental activities may influence the extent of cognitive impairment and possibly the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Authors: R S Wilson; D A Bennett; J L Bienias; N T Aggarwal; C F Mendes De Leon; M C Morris; J A Schneider; D A Evans Journal: Neurology Date: 2002-12-24 Impact factor: 9.910