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What is the prevalence of dementia in psychiatric clinics in Brazil?
Cristiano Schaffer-Aguzzoli, M.D.
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul
Porto Alegre, Brazil
Background
Alzheimer’s and other dementia may be associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms such as apathy, depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. Studies in high-income countries have shown that these symptoms can occur early during Alzheimer’s development before the initial signs of cognitive impairment, leading to misdiagnosis in a psychiatric setting. Further, studies have shown that neuropsychiatric symptoms may be associated with accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau tangles, two hallmark brain changes that occur in individuals with Alzheimer’s. However, in low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementia and the associated underlying brain changes in older individuals in psychiatry clinics is unknown.
Research Plan
Dr. Aguzzoli and colleagues will screen up to 150 individuals aged 45 and older admitted to the São Lucas Hospital psychiatric ward using routine cognitive screening tools to examine the prevalence in dementia in a psychiatry setting in Brazil. The researchers will then collect blood from each individual and examine levels of beta-amyloid and tau biological markers (biomarkers) in the same individuals and link the changes in plasma biomarkers with neuropsychiatric symptoms for each individual.
Impact
Results from this study may provide new insights into the prevalence of dementia in psychiatric clinics in Brazil. Findings from this project could also shed new light on how brain changes in Alzheimer’s relate to neuropsychiatric symptoms.
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