Table 2.
The onset time of neuropsychiatric symptoms: study characteristics
| Source | Stages | Contrast | Findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craig, 2005 [7] | Probable AD | MMSE: < 10 vs 10–20 vs > 20 | Depression and apathy were the earliest to appear, and hallucinations, euphoria, and aberrant motor behavior were the latest symptoms to emerge. Hallucinations were significantly more common in severe dementia (MMSE< 10). Irritability was most prevalent in early disease (MMSE> 20). |
| Cheng, 2012 [22] | AD | Moderate AD vs mild AD | The prevalence of aberrant motor behavior, delusion, hallucination and sleep disturbance was significantly higher in moderate AD than in mild AD. |
| Burns, 1990 [23] | AD | Severe AD vs moderate AD | The prevalence of aberrant motor behavior and sexual disinhibition was significantly higher in severe AD than in moderate AD. |
| Hwang, 2004 [21] | aMCI/ Mild AD | aMCI vs controls; mild AD vs aMCI | There were significant differences in apathy, irritability, anxiety, agitation and abnormal motor behavior between the aMCI and controls. Delusion was significantly increased in mild AD compared to aMCI. |
| Iulio, 2010 [24] | aMCI/AD | aMCI vs controls; | The prevalence of depression, apathy, agitation and irritability was significantly higher in aMCI than in normal controls. |
| Ehrenberg, 2018 [25] | AD | Braak I/II, Braak III/IV, Braak V/VI vs controls | In Braak I/II, significantly increased odds were detected for agitation, anxiety, appetite changes, depression, and sleep disturbances, compared to controls. Increased odds of agitation continue into Braak III/IV. Braak V/VI is associated with higher odds for delusions. |
| Jost, 1996 [6] | AD | Time order | Apathy, depression, sleep disturbance and anxiety appeared before the diagnosis of AD. Irritability and delusions occurred within 5 months after diagnosis; Inappropriate sexual behavior, wandering, agitation within 5–10 months after diagnosis; Hallucination and aggression appear 10 months after diagnosis. |
| Linde, 2016 [26] | AD | Persistence | Apathy and abnormal behavior showed high persistence; Irritability, agitation, depression and anxiety showed moderate persistence; Delusions, hallucination, appetite changes, and sleep disturbance showed short persistence. |
Abbreviations: AD Alzheimer’s disease, aMCI amnestic mild cognitive impairment, NPSs neuropsychiatric symptoms, MMSE Mini-mental State Examination