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Background/Aims: Knowledge about neuropsychiatric symptoms in young-onset Alzheimer's disease (YO-AD) is scarce, but essential to establish a prognosis and plan care for YO-AD patients. The aim of this study is to assess frequency parameters of neuropsychiatric symptoms in YO-AD over 2 years and investigate whether there are differences compared with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LO-AD). Methods: 98 YO-AD and 123 LO-AD patients and caregivers from two prospective cohort studies were included and assessed every 6 months for 2 years, using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory to evaluate neuropsychiatric symptoms. Results: Over the course of 2 years, the incidence, prevalence and persistence of neuropsychiatric symptoms were in general lower in YO-AD than in LO-AD, specifically for delusions, agitation, depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability and aberrant motor behavior. Frequency of individual symptoms showed large variability in both groups. Within the group of YO-AD patients, apathy was the most prevalent symptom. Conclusion: Neuropsychiatric symptoms, notably apathy, should be paid appropriate attention to in the diagnosis and treatment of YO-AD patients. Further research is needed to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying the differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms between YO-AD and LO-AD. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have to deal with an uncertain prognosis and also face a multitude of memory-related problems and psychosocial consequences. A newly developed group programme proved to be feasible, however, it needed confirmation by a controlled study. Aim: This controlled study evaluates this group therapy for MCI patients aimed to help them accept and manage the memory problems and the psychosocial consequences. The programme combines elements from psychoeducation, cognitive rehabilitation and cognitive-behavioural therapy. Patients and Methods: Ninety-three MCI patients received treatment, with 30 patients being first assigned to a waiting list, thus serving as their own control group. Pre- and post-treatment acceptance and helplessness were assessed using subscales of the Illness Cognition Questionnaire, while distress and general well-being were gauged with the Geriatric Depression Scale and subscales of the RAND-36. Results: Linear mixed model analyses showed that, relative to the controls, acceptance had increased more in the intervention group compared to the waiting-list period (p = 0.034). Distress and general well-being showed no changes. Treatment responders demonstrating a clinically significant effect on acceptance and two of three secondary outcome measures had higher baseline levels of helplessness and fewer self-reported memory complaints in daily life than patients who did not improve. Conclusion: The intervention helped the patients deal better with their uncertain future in that they were overall better able to accept their condition, with especially the female patients showing a decrease in helplessness cognitions, although the effects were relatively small. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]