Mild Alzheimer Disease, Financial Capacity, and the Role of Depression: Eyes Wide Shut?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether comorbid depression in patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD) can influence financial capacity. The sample comprised 109 participants divided into 4 groups: mild AD with and without depressive symptoms, and cognitive normal elderly with and without depression. Participants were examined using a number of neuropsychological tests, with an emphasis on the Mini-Mental State Examination, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Legal Capacity for Property Law Transactions Assessment Scale. Financial capacity ascertained as performance in the Legal Capacity for Property Law Transactions Assessment Scale in the group of mild AD patients was severely impaired when depression coexisted, thus clearly differentiating the mild AD group from mild AD with comorbid depression.