The diagnostic value of EEG in Alzheimer disease: correlation with the severity of mental impairment

• Published in: Journal of clinical neurophysiology Vol. 18; no. 6; p. 570
• Main Authors: Kowalski, J W, Gawel, M, Pfeffer, A, Barcikowska, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.11.2001
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology; Cerebral Cortex - physiopathology; Disease Progression; Electroencephalography; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Mental Status Schedule; Middle Aged; Predictive Value of Tests
• ISSN: 0736-0258
• DOI: 10.1097/00004691-200111000-00008

The aim of our study was to analyze EEG changes in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and to determine how closely EEG reflects the progression of mental impairment in people with AD. Ninety-five patients with probable AD according to National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria treated in our Clinic for Memory Disorders were selected for this study. Patients were divided into three subgroups with mild, marked, and severe dementia according to the results of psychometric scales. The EEG findings were classified using an eight-degree scale according to the background activity, presence and amount of theta and delta waves, focal changes, lateralization of focal changes, synchronization, and presence of sharp and spike waves. A significant correlation between the degree of EEG abnormalities and cognitive impairment was found. We did not observe any correlation between the presence of delta waves and the results of neuropsychological tests. Our study revealed an important diagnostic value of EEG in the estimation of the severity of dementia parallel to psychometric scales.