Can neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) be used as a predictor of cognitive
decline over 3 years? 
   Lead Investigator:    Sascha Gill
   Institution      :    University of Calgary
   E-Mail           :    sascha.gill@ucalgary.ca
   Proposal ID      :    1454



   Proposal Description:
   Our goal is to determine whether neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) can be used as a predictor of cognitive decline over 3 years. Here is how we plan to do this:    Collect NPI-Q data for participants at baseline, and 6 months later    Divide the patients into 3 groups: the first will be patients who are positive for NPS at two time points (baseline and 6 months later) the second will be patients who are positive for NPS at one of two time point (baseline OR 6 months) the third will be patients who do NOT have NPS at either baseline or 6 months                                 Collect demographic data, including age, gender/sex, years of education, etc.    Collect cognitive scores at baseline and 3 years later     Collect diagnosis information at baseline and 3 years later    Using the data mentioned above we plan to convert the NPI-Q scores to MBI scores using a conversion algorithm, and evaluate whether the change in MBI scores over 6 months can be used to predict cognitive decline and/or change in diagnosis over a 3 year period. [We are not firm on the 3 year gap, and would welcome 4/5 year follow-ups if they provide a larger sample size.]