Key result
Abnormal premorbid personality traits, particularly Cluster A traits, and sparser social networks were overrepresented in patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to unaffected siblings.
Why the study?
Are abnormal premorbid personality traits and sparser social networks associated with Alzheimer's disease?
Case-Control (n=293)
Are abnormal premorbid personality traits and sparser social networks associated with Alzheimer's disease?
Abnormal premorbid personality traits, specifically Cluster A traits, and lower levels of social interactivity are associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Supports premorbid Cluster A traits and social sparsity as AD risk markers; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before clinical use.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between premorbid personality traits, social networks and AD, using a case-control design, and two informant-based retrospective assessments of premorbid personality. METHODS: Cases consisted of 217 Subjects diagnosed with probable late onset Alzheimer's disease (160 females and 57 males). Recruitment was from both community and nursing home settings. Controls consisted of 76 unaffected siblings (44 females and 32 males) of patients with AD. Both cases and controls received informant ratings of premorbid personality. RESULTS: A selection of abnormal personality traits were over represented in the AD group. AD was particularly associated with Cluster A personality disorder traits (Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal). AD cases had correspondingly sparser social networks. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between abnormal personality traits and AD. Individuals with AD also appear to have had lower levels of social interactivity.
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Nicholas et al. (2009) conducted a case-control in Alzheimer's disease (n=293). Premorbid personality traits vs. Unaffected siblings was evaluated on Association between premorbid personality traits, social networks and Alzheimer's disease. Abnormal premorbid personality traits, particularly Cluster A traits, and sparser social networks were overrepresented in patients with Alzheimer's disease compared to unaffected siblings.
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