Executive functions as predictors of functional performance in mild Alzheimer's dementia and mild cognitive impairment elderly

Abstract

Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms are associated with worse functionality phenotype in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) elderly. The present study aims to investigate the association between the impairment of executive functions and episodic memory, the presence of depressive symptoms with the functionality of these patients. One hundred and eighteen participants diagnosed with AD or MCI who underwent neuropsychological examination covering various domains of episodic memory and executive functions and the answered the Geriatric Depression Scale. Caregivers answered a scale of Activities of Daily Living. The cognitive variables were reduced through factor analysis to three components (Executive Functions, Memory Episodic and Working Memory) and, along with depressive symptoms, used as predictors in a linear regression model, where only Executive Functions were related to functionality (R²= 0.30). The results suggest that executive functions are particularly relevant for functionality in these patients.