DTI voxelwise analysis did not differentiate older depressed patients from older subjects without depression.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroimaging has been widely used in studies to investigate depression in the elderly because it is a noninvasive technique, and it allows the detection of structural and functional brain alterations. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) are neuroimaging indexes of the microstructural integrity of white matter, which are measured using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The aim of this study was to investigate differences in FA or MD in the entire brain without a previously determined region of interest (ROI) between depressed and non-depressed elderly patients. METHOD: Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from 47 depressed elderly patients, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, and 36 healthy elderly patients as controls. Voxelwise statistical analysis of FA data was performed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). RESULTS: After controlling for age, no significant differences among FA and MD parameters were observed in the depressed elderly patients. No significant correlations were found between cognitive performance and FA or MD parameters. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences among FA or MD values between mildly or moderately depressed and non-depressed elderly patients when the brain was analyzed without a previously determined ROI.

Profile of caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients attended at a reference center for cognitive disorders.

This is a study on burden of caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease attended at a Reference Center for Cognitive Disorders. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the profile and burden on caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease attended at a Reference Center for Cognitive Disorders. METHODS: We collected demographic information and data on the relationship with the patient from caregivers, and measured burden with the Zarit scale. The patients were evaluated with the following scales: the Cambridge Cognitive Test (CAMCOG); Mini Mental State Examination, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory for neuropsychiatry symptoms, and Functional Activities Questionnaire - FAQ for functional impairment. RESULTS: Of the 31 caregivers, 77.4% were female, predominantly, and daughters, having a mean age of 58.6 years, educational level of 8.1 years, 70% of caregivers co-resided with the patient and 71% did not work. The mean time as a caregiver was 3 years. Twenty-seven percent of the caregivers presented mild to severe burden. The variables presenting significant association with caregiver burden were scores on the NPI and CAMCOG. CONCLUSION: The social demographic characteristics of the sample were similar to those of studies performed in other countries. The average time as a caregiver and the frequency of caregivers with mild to intense burden were lower than those reported in international studies. Neuropsychiatric symptoms and severity of cognitive decline were the main factors associated to burden in this sample of mostly mild to moderate demented AD patients. Further studies are necessary to verify whether the burden is indeed less intense in our milieu.

Trata-se de um estudo sobre a sobrecarga do cuidador dos pacientes com doença de Alzheimer atendidos em Centro de Referência em Distúrbios Cognitivos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o perfil e a sobrecarga do cuidador dos pacientes com doença de Alzheimer atendidos em Centro de Referência em Distúrbios Cognitivos. MÉTODO: Foram obtidos dados demográficos do cuidador e sobrecarga de acordo com a Escala de Sobrecarga de Zarit. Os pacientes foram avaliados com os seguintes testes e escalas: Teste Cognitivo Cambridge (CAMCOG); Mini-Exame do Estado Mental; Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico (NPI), para a presença de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos; e o Questionário de Atividades Funcionais (QAF), de Pfeffer, para o comprometimento funcional. RESULTADOS: Os 31 cuidadores eram predominantemente do sexo feminino, filhas, idade média 58,6 anos, escolaridade média de 8,1 anos; 70% dos cuidadores moravam com o paciente; 71% não trabalhavam. O tempo médio como cuidador foi de 3 anos. Vinte e sete por cento dos cuidadores apresentavam sobrecarga de intensidade leve a intensa. As variáveis que apresentaram associação significativa com a sobrecarga do cuidador foram os escores do NPI e do CAMCOG. CONCLUSÃO: As características sociodemográficas dos cuidadores foram semelhantes às de estudos feitos em outros países. Entretanto, sobrecarga foi menos freqüente do que em estudos internacionais. A intensidade dos transtornos neuropsiquiátricos e a gravidade do declínio cognitivo foram os principais fatores associados à sobrecarga nesta amostra constituída principalmente por pacientes com DA, com demência leve a moderada. Mais estudos são necessários para verificar se a sobrecarga do cuidador é menos intensa em nosso meio.