Prediction of Progression in Early Alzheimer Disease

 
   Lead Investigator:    Daniel Horton
   Institution      :    University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
   E-Mail           :    daniel.horton@utsouthwestern.edu
   Proposal ID      :    370



   Proposal Description:
   Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by impairment in episodic memory and progressive deterioration of other cognitive functions, although the rate of  cognitive decline varies across individuals. The aim of this study is to  develop a multimodal model which can identify faster versus slower progressors  in the early stages of AD using neuropsychological, demographic, and health       variables.  Predictive validity of individual variables and incremental  validity will be examined. Subjects with early AD (i.e., CDR = .5 - 1.0) at baseline will be divided into faster versus slower progression groups as  defined by annualized changes in MMSE and CDR scores across a minimum of 3 time points (i.e., baseline plus at least 2 followup examinations).  Baseline neuropsychological scores from the UDS/MDS along with health (i.e.,  cardiovascular risk scores) and demographic (age, education, race, parental  history of AD) variables will be entered into regression equations in order to  predict membership in the faster or slower progression group.  A similar  preliminary investigation at our institution revealed that scores on several  simple neuropsychological tests at baseline may be useful in identifying faster vs slower progressors, although we need a larger sample to verify this finding.