Neuroanatomical Correlation of Agitation/Aggression in Alzheimer's Disease

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to identify the association between agitation/aggression and atrophy in specific brain areas in Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Fifty six patients with mild or moderate AD participated in this study. Cognitive function was measured using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Agitation/aggression symptoms were measured using the Korean version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI). Atrophies of brain were analyzed using Voxel Based Morphometry (VBM). RESULTS: Higher scores of agitation/aggression were correlated with the atrophy of left middle temporal, left fusiform, right middle temporal, left inferior temporal, right inferior temporal, left superior temporal, left middle occipital, right orbitofrontal, right superior frontal, left angular and right middle frontal gyrus (p<0.001, uncorrected for multiple comparisons, extent threshold=200 voxel). CONCLUSION: Agitation/aggression was correlated with specific neuroanatomical changes in mild or moderate AD.