Neurologic Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Conca 1, Torrette di Ancona, Italy.
J Neurol. 2013 Jan;260(1):172-5. doi: 10.1007/s00415-012-6608-1. Epub 2012 Jul 20.
The present study aims to investigate the potential clinical utility of applause sign in Alzheimer's disease (AD), exploring whether it is consequent to the severity of cognitive impairment or to specific neuropsychological profiles. According to the current debate, the role of apraxia is also investigated. A total of 105 patients with AD were enrolled and classified on the basis of the severity of the disease: 37 had mild AD, 38 moderate AD, and 30 severe AD. They were compared to 42 normal subjects. The applause sign was detected using the three clap test. All patients underwent a broad neuropsychological examination and 95 AD patients were tested for the presence of apraxia with a detailed praxis battery. Applause sign was present in all AD patient groups, which showed a significant difference with respect to normal controls, but not between each other. No significant difference was reported between apraxic and non-apraxic patients. Applause sign correlated with measures of frontal lobe dysfunction. No correlations were found between the applause sign and other cognitive functions examined.
本研究旨在探讨鼓掌征在阿尔茨海默病（AD）中的潜在临床应用价值，探讨其是否与认知障碍的严重程度相关，或者是否与特定的神经心理学特征相关。根据目前的争论，还研究了失用症的作用。共纳入 105 例 AD 患者，并根据疾病严重程度进行分类：37 例轻度 AD，38 例中度 AD，30 例重度 AD。将他们与 42 名正常受试者进行比较。使用三拍手测试检测鼓掌征。所有患者均接受广泛的神经心理学检查，95 例 AD 患者接受详细的动作检查以测试失用症。鼓掌征存在于所有 AD 患者组中，与正常对照组相比有显著差异，但彼此之间无差异。失用症患者和非失用症患者之间无显著差异。鼓掌征与额叶功能障碍的测量值相关。未发现鼓掌征与所检查的其他认知功能之间存在相关性。
