The authors examined the prevalence and correlates of anosognosia in a
consecutive series of patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Patients were examined with the Anosognosia Questionnaire-Dementia (AQ- D),
which showed good reliability and validity. On the basis of the AQ- D
scores, patients were divided into those with anosognosia (n = 21) and
those without anosognosia (n = 52). Patients with anosognosia showed a
significantly longer duration of illness, more severe cognitive impairments
and deficits in activities of daily living, and higher mania and
pathological laughing scores than AD patients without anosognosia. These
findings suggest that anosognosia in AD may be part of a specific
neuropsychiatric syndrome.Abstract Teaser