Neuropsychiatric symptoms as the main determinant of caregiver burden in Alzheimer's disease.

Unlabelled: Caregiver burden is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD), decreasing the quality of life among caregivers and patients. Projections of aging and aging-related diseases such as AD in developing countries justify additional data about this issue because people living in these countries have shown similarly high levels of caregiver strain as in the developed world.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the association of AD caregivers' burden with patients' neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), cognitive status, severity of dementia, functional capacity, caregiver sociodemographic characteristics, and the characteristics of care provided by caregivers.

Sociodemographic profile and level of burden of dementia patients' caregivers who participate in a support group.

Unlabelled: The Brazilian Alzheimer's Association recommend the dementia patient's caregiver to attend group meetings which aim to give information and enable them to express and share feelings with individuals who are facing similar difficulties.

Objectives: To identify the sociodemographic profile of the individuals who attend the Support Group for Family Members of Individuals with Alzheimer's disease at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, and to verify the degree of burden associated to the care given to this kind of patient.

Methods: Forty-eight participants were sub-divided into two groups: 23 non-caregivers and 25 caregivers.

Cognitive complaints compared to performance on a mental state screening test in elderly outpatients.

Unlabelled: Memory and other cognitive complaints are common in the elderly population. However, the clinical meaning of these complaints remains controversial.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive complaints and performance on a mental state screening test in elderly patients attended for the first time at the Neurogeriatric and Dementia (NGA) Outpatient Clinic within a major University hospital.

Behavioural effects of acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion in healthy male volunteers.

Acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion (APTD) studies have been used to assess the role of the cathecholaminergic system in various aspects of human behaviour. In this study we conducted a randomized, double-blind, controlled and cross-over comparison to evaluate the effects of APTD on memory, attention and mood in normal subjects. Twelve healthy male volunteers were included in this study.