INTRODUCTION

Clinical characterization of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) is challenging due to overlapping neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive profiles between the two conditions.

METHODS

We used clinical network analysis to characterize and compare clinical profiles in AD and bvFTD using initial visit data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center.

RESULTS

The final matched sample included 890 patients per group (AD: mean age = 63.02, standard deviation [SD] = 9.34, 36.4% female; bvFTD: mean age = 62.87, SD = 9.46, 36.52% female). Both networks were densely connected, reflecting comorbidity between neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive scores. Memory performance, hallucinations, and motor disturbance were bridge symptoms in the AD network, whereas elation was the sole bridge symptom in the bvFTD network.

DISCUSSION

Distinct networks highlight unique clinical profiles in AD and bvFTD. Treatment of bridge symptoms may relieve overall symptom burden. Findings can advance clinical characterization of AD and bvFTD, leading to development of targeted interventions.

HIGHLIGHTS

We compared clinical features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). Clinical networks showed comorbidity between neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive manifestations. Clinical networks significantly differed between AD and bvFTD, highlighting unique behavioral and cognitive profiles. Distinct symptoms were important for overall symptom comorbidity. Findings can be used to characterize AD and bvFTD and inform targeted treatment.