Abstract |
Previous research demonstrated that it is possible to distinguish patients with probable Alzheimer's disease from age-matched controls based on an exaggerated pupil dilation response to dilute tropicamide. The research reported here employed a prospective longitudinal design to follow over time (2-4 years) a sample of 55 community dwelling elders with and without an exaggerated pupil response using the pupil assay and a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests sensitive to pre-clinical AD. Discrete time survival modeling was used to assess the ability of the assay to predict a pattern of cognitive decline consistent with early AD. Analysis showed that there is an increased risk (odds ratio of 3) with a hypersensitive pupil response (>/=13% increase in pupil diameter over baseline diameter) for developing significant cognitive impairment in areas of memory attention and language in a pattern, consistent with pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease. When controlling for ApoE allele type the odds ratio for pupil response as a risk factor increased to 4. The analysis also found that an exaggerated pupil response was a significant (p=.02) predictor of cognitive decline. This analysis of longitudinal data has shown that over time an exaggerated response on the pupil assay is a significant independent risk factor for developing pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease. The risk for developing pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease is increased four-fold.
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Authors | Leonard F M Scinto |
Journal | Neurobiology of aging
(Neurobiol Aging)
Vol. 29
Issue 2
Pg. 222-30
(Feb 2008)
ISSN: 1558-1497 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 17118493
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Acetylcholine
(pharmacology)
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
(physiology)
- Cognition Disorders
(diagnosis)
- Female
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity
(physiopathology)
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Reflex, Pupillary
(drug effects, physiology)
- Residence Characteristics
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