Self-recognition in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

A prospective study of patients with moderate (n = 20) and severe (n = 19) dementia of the Alzheimer type was performed to compare the ability of patients to recognize themselves. A Mini-Mental State Examination cut-off score was used to separate those patients with severe dementia (MMSE score < 6) from those with moderate dementia (MMSE = 7--15). Each patient was then scored according to his ability to name two body parts correctly and to recognize himself in a mirror. Severe degrees of dementia were significantly associated with the inability of patients to recognize themselves while those with moderate degrees of dementia still retained this capacity.