FRONTAL BEHAVIORAL INVENTORY - DIAGNOSTIC-CRITERIA FOR FRONTAL-LOBE DEMENTIA

Objective: To utilize the diagnostic criteria of frontal lobe dementia (FLD). Methods: We studied 12 patients with FLD diagnosed clinically, with radiological confirmation in 10 and autopsy confirmation in 2; s ixteen patients with Alzheimer's disease matched for stage and severit y to FLD and 11 patients with depressive dementia were used as control groups. A 24-item Frontal Behavioral Inventory (FBI) using the most r elevant behavioral manifestations of FLD was administered in these pop ulations. Results: FLD patient scores on the FBI were much higher comp ared with control groups (AD and DD), Item analysis showed loss of ins ight, indifference, distractibility, personal neglect and apathy as th e most frequent negative symptoms. Perseveration, disinhibition, inapp ropriateness, impulsivity, and irresponsibility were the most signific ant positive symptoms. An operational definition of FLD included a min imum FBI score of 27. Only one false positive was shown in the depress ive group and none among the AD group, indicating little overlap betwe en patient groups, and a high discriminating value of the FBI. Conclus ions: The FBI appears to be a useful diagnostic instrument and a metho d to operate the behavioral criteria of FLD. Further prospective studi es are warranted to establish validity.