Physical aggression and other indices of irritable affect have been consistently identified as potential risk factors for institutionalization and other negative care-related outcomes in patients with Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. A cohort of 255 persons with the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, stratified on initial dementia severity level, will be prospectively studied over 12 months with a weekly surveillance protocol to capture specific episodes of physical aggression and situational factors. The descriptive aims of this study will be to characterize the number of persons with aggressive episodes and the rate of these episodes over 12 months as a function of initial level of cognitive impairment. In addition, the study will quantitatively describe six situational factors related to aggressive episodes. The study will test the hypotheses that, among patients with Alzheimer's disease, the presence of each of these factors predicts episodes of aggression: severe cognitive impairment, premorbid episodes of aggression, and severity of other behavioral disturbances. In addition, the data will permit testing the hypothesis that the presence and frequency of aggressive episodes predicts increased levels of emotional distress in the primary caregiver.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG010647-02
Application #
3122575
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Project Start
1991-09-30
Project End
1994-06-30
Budget Start
1992-07-01
Budget End
1993-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rush University Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Gilley, David W; Wilson, Robert S; Bienias, Julia L et al. (2004) Predictors of depressive symptoms in persons with Alzheimer's disease. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 59:P75-83
Gilley, D W; Wilson, R S; Beckett, L A et al. (1997) Psychotic symptoms and physically aggressive behavior in Alzheimer's disease. J Am Geriatr Soc 45:1074-9