Personality change in old age.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present short review summarizes some of the most important personality changes in older adults.

RECENT FINDINGS

Personality changes in old age are usually minimal. Cluster B personality disorders appear to become less prevalent. Significant changes in personality are typically associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (e.g., slowly progressive sociopathy), Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment due to incipient dementia or underlying medical illness.

SUMMARY

Therefore, we suggest that a significant change in personality in old age always warrants careful neuropsychiatric examination.