Valdois S, Joanette Y, Poissant A, Ska B, Dehaut F
Laboratoire Th.-Alajouanine, C.H. Côte-des-Neiges, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 1990 Aug;12(4):587-96. doi: 10.1080/01688639008401003.
An increasing number of studies point to the fact that distinct cognitive subgroups may be identified among subjects with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Although such heterogeneity could be the expression of neuropsychological, genetic, or epidemiological factors, the identification of neuropsychological subtypes in DAT could also reflect the existence of cognitive subgroups in a normal aged population. In the present study, the existence of neuropsychological subgroups was sought from among 81 volunteers aged between 55 and 84 years. Subjects were given a neuropsychological battery addressing various aspects of cognitive functioning. Results show that six subgroups could be identified among this population. Subgroups differ primarily in their overall degree of performance. Qualitative differences in cognitive performance are also present, mostly when subgroups which exhibit poor overall performance are considered. Consequently, the presence of such heterogeneity in normal elderly should be taken into account in any attempt to identify neuropsychologically based subgroups in early dementia of the Alzheimer type.
越来越多的研究指出，在阿尔茨海默型痴呆（DAT）患者中可以识别出不同的认知亚组。尽管这种异质性可能是神经心理学、遗传或流行病学因素的表现，但在DAT中识别神经心理学亚型也可能反映出正常老年人群中认知亚组的存在。在本研究中，从81名年龄在55岁至84岁之间的志愿者中寻找神经心理学亚组的存在。受试者接受了一套针对认知功能各个方面的神经心理学测试。结果表明，该人群中可识别出六个亚组。亚组主要在其总体表现程度上有所不同。认知表现也存在质性差异，尤其是在考虑总体表现较差的亚组时。因此，在任何试图识别基于神经心理学的早期阿尔茨海默型痴呆亚组的尝试中，都应考虑到正常老年人中这种异质性的存在。
