KMID : 0828520070110010009
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Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society 2007 Volume.11 No. 1 p.9 ~ p.16
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Comparison between Alcohol Dependence and Alzheimer Disease in the Elderly Patients using the Cognitive Assessment Reference Diagnoses System
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Park Ji-Eun
Suh Guk-Hee Lee Tae-Young Yoon Hae-Joo Lee Joon-Noh
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Alcohol dependence and Alzheimer¡¯s disease induce cognitive dysfunction in common. However, the cognitive dysfunction from alcohol dementia can be improved with appropriate treatment while that from Alzhimer¡¯s disease is usually irreversible and progressive. Nevertheless, the discrete diagnosis for the cause is delicate or sometimes impossible in those patients showing both characteristics of alcohol dementia and Alzhimer¡¯s disease. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of the computerized comprehensive neuropsychological test, Cognitive Assessment and Reference Diagnoses System(CARDS), to differentiate the diagnoses between alcohol dementia and Alzhiemr¡¯s disease in their early stages.
METHODS: 32 elderly subjects with cognitive dysfunction were recruited. They are divided by two groups; 16 subjects with alcohol dependence and 16 subjects without alcohol dependence(as early Alzhiemr¡¯s disease) We assessed the cognitive dysfunctions of each group using CARDS. The subscales of the CARDS include; (1) Amnesia, (2) Aphasia, (3) Apraxia, (4) Dysexecution, (5) Attention/Calculation.
RESULTS: Alcohol dependence group showed lower mean score in amnesia subscale, but showed higher mean scores in apraxia and dysexcution subscales than early Alzheimer group. And both groups didn¡¯t show significant differences of mean scores in agonisa, aphagia, and attention/calculation subscale.
CONCLUSION: In summary, this study shows that the elderly patients with alcohol dependence have cognitive deficits mainly in the amnesia domain of CARDS assessment, whereas early Alzhiemr¡¯s disease patients show equal or worse cognitive function in other domains except amnesia. Thus, we suggest that CARDS will be helpful to differentiate alcoholic dementia and Alzhiemr¡¯s disease in their early stages.
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KEYWORD
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Cognitive dysfunction, Alcohol dependence, Alzheimers disease, Cognitive Assessment and Reference Diagnoses System
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