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Behavioural assessment of the dysexecutive syndrome (BADS) in healthy elders and Alzheimer´s disease patients: preliminary study

Bateria de avaliação da síndrome disexecutiva em idosos controles e em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) em fase inicial: estudo preliminar

Abstract

Although the main initial deficit is considered to be in the memory domain, an early impairment of executive functions is also found in AD where these deficits are correlated to functional impairment. Ecological tests are more indicated to evaluate executive impairment, and are better able to assist in treating AD patients than more commonly used tests.

Objectives:

The aim of this preliminary study is to verify the performance in executive functions using the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS) in elder controls and mild AD patients, and to analyze its applicability in our environment.

Methods:

The BADS was performed by 17 healthy elders and 17 early AD patients matched for age, schooling and gender.

Results:

There were significant differences among controls and AD patients on MMSE scores, and in measures of executive functions, memory, and motor speed. Some sub items of BADS (rule shift cards, modified six elements, total score, standard, standard by age and overall classification by age) were also different between groups. Differences were also significant on the Dysexecutive Questionnaire (DEX) of BADS self-ratings and other-ratings.

Conclusion:

BADS was efficacious in detecting executive deficits in this sample, as confirmed by other executive functions tests applied.

Key words:
Alzheimer disease; executive functions; BADS; neuropsychology.

Resumo

Embora o principal déficit inicial seja a memória, existe também um prejuízo nas funções executivas na DA desde as fases leves e estes estão correlacionados com prejuízo funcional. Testes ecológicos são os mais indicados para a avaliação dos déficits nas funções executivas, podendo auxiliar melhor no tratamento de pacientes com DA.

Objetivo:

O objetivo deste estudo preliminar é verificar o desempenho nas funções executivas usando a Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome - BADS em idosos saudáveis e pacientes com DA provável em fase inicial e a aplicabilidade desta bateria ecológica em nosso meio.

Métodos:

Avaliamos com a BADS 17 idosos saudáveis e 17 pacientes com DA provável em fase inicial, pareados em relação à idade, escolaridade e sexo.

Resultados:

Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa nos escores do MEEM e em medidas de funções executivas, memória e velocidade motora, também em alguns subtestes da BADS (Cartas-Troca de Regras, Seis elementos Modificado, Perfil Total, Padronizado, Padronizado pela idade e Classificação geral por idade) foram demonstradas diferenças entre os grupos. No questionário disexecutivo (DEX) da BADS de auto-avaliação e avaliação por outro se detectou diferença entre os grupos.

Conclusões:

A BADS mostrou-se eficaz na detecção dos déficits em funções executivas em nossa amostra, conforme confirmado pelos resultados dos demais testes que avaliam funções executivas.

Palavras-chave:
doença de Alzheimer; funções executivas; BADS; neuropsicologia.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Apr-Jun 2007
Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Departamento de Neurologia Cognitiva e Envelhecimento R. Vergueiro, 1353 sl.1404 - Ed. Top Towers Offices, Torre Norte, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, CEP 04101-000, Tel.: +55 11 5084-9463 | +55 11 5083-3876 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistadementia@abneuro.org.br | demneuropsy@uol.com.br