Spatial navigation ability predicts progression of dementia symptomatology.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Spatial navigation deficits are observed in Alzheimer's disease cross-sectionally, but prediction of longitudinal clinical decline has been less examined.

Methods

Cognitive mapping (CM) was assessed in 95 participants and route learning (RL) was assessed in 65 participants at baseline. Clinical progression over an average of 4 to 5 years was assessed using the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale. Relative predictive ability was compared to episodic memory, hippocampus, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (phosphorylated tau/amyloid β 42 (ptau₁₈₁ /Aβ₄₂ ) ratio).

Results

CM and RL were predictors of clinical progression (P's < 0.032). All measures, except RL-Learning remained predictors with episodic memory in models (P's < 0.048). Onl

SUBMITTER: Levine TF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7067640 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature