NEUROPSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF PROGRESSIVE SUPRANUCLEAR PALSY

Administering the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), we examined the be havioral symptoms of 22 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy ( PSP), 50 patients with Alzheimer's disease, and 40 controls. PSP patie nts exhibited apathy (91%), disinhibition (36%), dysphoria (18%) and a nxiety (18%), but rarely (<9%) irritability, abnormal motor behaviors, or agitation. Apathy in PSP was significantly associated with executi ve dysfunction. The presence of high apathy and low agitation and anxi ety scale scores correctly identified the PSP patients 85% of the time . Evaluating the behavioral abnormalities of patients with neurodegene rative disorders will aid diagnosis and facilitate management.