SELF-RECOGNITION IN DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMER-TYPE

A prospective study of patients with moderate (n = 20) and severe (n = 19) dementia of the Alzheimer type was performed to compare the abili ty of patients to recognize themselves. A Mini-Mental State Examinatio n cut-off score was used to separate those patients with severe dement ia (MMSE score <6) from those with moderate dementia (MMSE = 7 - 15). Each patient was then scored according to his ability to name two body parts correctly and to recognize himself in a mirror. Severe degrees of dementia were significantly associated with the inability of patien ts to recognize themselves while those with moderate degrees of dement ia still retained this capacity.