PERSONALITY-CHANGE IN DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMER-TYPE

Although cognitive impairment is the predominant feature of dementia, personality changes are also frequently reported. This study aimed to describe the nature of personality change in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and the relationship of this change to cognitive decline. An informant-based instrument was developed based on a personality inv entory designed by Lewis Goldberg for measuring personality in the nor mal population. Twenty-eight clinicians used this inventory to rate th e difference between people suffering from DAT and normal elderly peop le. Differences were found in all five factors of personality, with Co nscientiousness and Intellect showing the most difference and Agreeabl eness showing the least difference. Based on the findings of this firs t study, a smaller questionnaire of 46 traits was developed. This was completed by 50 relatives of DAT patients, 50 relatives of controls an d 167 carers of dementia sufferers recruited from Alzheimer's Associat ion support groups. Principal components analysis revealed a large fac tor which accounted for 33% of the variance suggesting a global change in personality. Rotation revealed three meaningful factors. Two of th ese factors were highly correlated to cognitive decline while the thir d showed only a moderate correlation. The significance of these result s is discussed.