Alexithymia and aging: a neuropsychological perspective.

Consistent with the emotional changes associated with later life, higher alexithymia scores are widely reported in older adults, but their significance has not been fully examined. We posited that association between alexithymia and poorer neurocognition would support the deficit nature of alexithymia in later life. Widely used neurocognitive tests assessing the relative integrity of the left and right hemisphere functions were used to examine the extent to which alexithymia of older age is associated with poor left or right hemisphere functioning.

Effectiveness of telecare in elderly populations-a comparison of three settings.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the level of satisfaction with 3 types of formal care systems of the elderly: (1) a day care center, (2) a nursing home, and (3) telecare service in a group of oldest frail elderly, and to describe the characteristics of the population using the services. The study involved a population of 162 oldest elderly using 3 different types of formal care services. Study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire, investigating socio-demographic characteristics and degree of overall satisfaction with the service, as well as eliciting possible suggestions for improvement.

Rivastigmine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: an update.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in industrialized countries. In the European Union, about 54% of dementia cases are believed to be due to Alzheimer's disease. The condition is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by multiple cognitive deficiencies, including loss of memory, judgment, and comprehension.

Impact of a multimodal rehabilitative intervention on demented patients and their caregivers.

Alzheimer's disease is becoming a social, political, and economic issue as a result of both the growing number of people affected and the enormous economic, social, and emotional costs involved in caring for Alzheimer's patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a multimodal intervention program for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. The study was conducted on a sample of 32 subjects: 16 Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers.

Clinical experience with risperidone in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Dementia is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by cognitive impairment and behavioral and psychological symptoms. The efficacy and tolerability of risperidone for treating dementia-associated psychological and behavioral disturbances were evaluated in a study of 135 patients aged 60-85 years with DSM-IV diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease. All were treated with risperidone at a starting dose of 0.