Focal left temporal slow EEG activity is related to a verbal recent memory deficit in a non-demented elderly population
Article Abstract:
Electroencephalograms (EEGs) are records of measurements of the electrical activity in the brain. A large proportion of the healthy elderly population has abnormal EEG findings in the left temporal portion of the brain. It is suspected that this abnormality may be an early indication of Alzheimer's disease. A recent study showed that left temporal slow EEG activity was present in subjects with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). This study examined whether healthy elderly people with this abnormality have similar neuropsychological deficit profiles to those identified previously in very mildly demented SDAT patients, particularly in the area of memory for recent events. Thirty-five healthy elderly adults were recruited as subjects. They were first given an EEG and divided into two groups based on the results: either a control group or a group with left temporal slow (LTS) EEG activity. Various neuropsychological tests were then performed, including tests for memory of recent events. Results showed that 9 of the 35 subjects had abnormal EEG readings involving left temporal slow EEG activity. The LTS group had significantly greater logical memory losses and were significantly deficient in logical memory when compared with the control group. On the other cognitive tests that did not involve memory, there were no significant differences between the groups. These results indicate that healthy elderly individuals with LTS have deficiencies in memory of recent events compared with healthy elderly individuals with normal EEG results. This type of abnormality is also seen in patients with mild SDAT. Further studies should be done to determine if this EEG abnormality is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Quality of life in elderly, chronically ill outpatients
Article Abstract:
The quality of life for chronically ill patients is an important factor in their medical management, but it is difficult to measure. For older people in particular, the components of quality of life are not clear. Such subjective factors as symptom burden and life satisfaction are often overlooked by researchers, who favor more objective measures of quality of life such as socioeconomic status and functional status. Subjective factors, however, may play a large role in how the elderly perceive their quality of life. One hundred five physicians were contacted in the present study, and 258 of their elderly (average age of 74 years) outpatients were interviewed. Quality of life was measured by a self-administered questionnaire that asked for ratings of quality of life, attributes affecting quality of life, and events affecting quality of life. Sociodemographic, health, and health care utilization data were obtained as well, and a mental status examination was conducted. Using a statistical technique called factor analysis, the 33 attributes that subjects reported as affecting quality of life were reduced to seven factors - depression, health, memory, anxiety, finances, residence, and interpersonal relationships - which were strongly correlated with overall quality of life. Traditional objective measures were not strongly associated with overall quality of life ratings. It is therefore recommended that health care professionals ask elderly and ill outpatients about their perceptions of the identified factors in assessing quality of life, rather than relying on more objective measures. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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