comparison of apraxia between patients with senile dementia of alzheimer type and normal aged people

Objective: In addition to memory deficits and aphasia, many patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are apraxic which may bring about disturbances in their daily living. The purpose of present study was investigating the presence of any apraxic disorder in patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) and comparison with normal aged people. Materials & Methods: In this case–control and analytical study 14 SDAT patients were compared with 20 normal ageing people that they were matched with patients according to age and education. Patients were selected from Iranian Alzheimer Association clients with psychiatrist diagnostic confirmation and MMSE scores between 15-27 and compared with controls with MMSE scores between 25-30. Apraxia Test was administered on both groups. The Test included 4 subtests: conceptual movements gestured conceptual movements, oral and respiratory movements & pantomime of movements of object manipulations. Data was analyzed by using Kolmogoroff – Smirnoff test, Man – Witney, T-test for independent groups and pearsonian correlation coefficient. Results: Findings showed that apraxia scores were significantly (P<0/001) different between groups so that (SDAT) patients were diagnosed as apraxic and controls were not. Besides, comparison of subtests scores of (SDAT) patients revealed that conceptual movements scores were significantly (P<0/001) less than the other subtests (more apraxic) and oral and respiratory movements scores were significantly (P<0/001) higher than the other subtests (less apraxic). Conclusion: Apraxia could be considered as one of the neuropsychological signs early in the disease development. It can be applied complementarily for differential diagnosis. Also apraxia subgroup scoring could be used for apraxia categorization, understanding observed disorders and determining possible rehabilitation ways.