Clinical variables associated with psychosis in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE

The authors explored whether personal or family history of major mental illness, negative symptoms, or behavioral measures are associated with positive psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.

METHOD

Fifty-seven patients with Alzheimer's disease were studied prospectively during interviews with the patients and their primary caregivers.

RESULTS

Psychotic patients with Alzheimer's disease did not differ in cognitive functioning from nonpsychotic patients with Alzheimer's disease. No association was found between personal or family history of mental illness and psychosis. Asociality was the only negative symptom associated with psychosis. Psychotic patients had more behavioral disturbances.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease are not associated with certain aspects of cerebral functioning but are associated with behavioral disturbances.