Alzheimer Disease: Camus V

Vellas B, Gauthier S, Allain H, Andrieu S, Aquino JP, Berrut G, Berthel M, Blanchard F, Camus V, Dartigues JF, Dubois B, Forette F, Franco A, Gonthier R, Grand A, Hervy MP, Jeandel C, Joel ME, Jouanny P, Lebert F, Michot P, Montastruc JL, Nourhashemi F, Ousset PJ, Pariente J, Rigaud AS, Robert P, Ruault G, Strubel D, Touchon J, Verny M, Vetel JM, Anonymous00344. · CHU Casselardit, Toulouse. · Rev Neurol (Paris). · Pubmed #16244574 No free full text.

Abstract: Under the auspices of the French Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics, a multidisciplinary team including geriatritians, neurologists, epidemiologists, psychiatrists, pharmacologists and public health specialists developed a consensus on care for patients with severe dementia. They defined 21 recommendations for general practitioners, long-term care physicians and specialists based on knowledge available in 2005. At all stages of the disease, the objective of care is to improve as much as possible quality-of-life for the patient and his/her family, including a life project until the end of life. It is always possible to do something for these patients and their family: nutritional status, behavior disorders, and incapacities to deal with basic activities of daily life have to be taken in consideration. Resource allocation and proximity care have to be targeted. Research areas necessary to improve the care of patients with severe dementia has been selected.

Crocq MA, Camus V, Millet B, Gliskman J, Azorin JM, Krebs MO, Limosin F, Costentin J, Daléry J. · Service de psychiatrie de l'adolescent, centre hospitalier, B.P. 29, 68250 Rouffach, France. · Encephale. · Pubmed #18597728 No free full text.

Abstract: Aripiprazole is indicated for the treatment of schizophrenia in Europe and the United States, and for bipolar disorders in the latter. Nevertheless, a review of recent literature has shown that aripiprazole has been studied in many other disorders, notably resistant depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality, Tourette syndrome, addiction, psychotic symptoms in children and adolescents, and neurological and psychiatric disorders in the elderly (late onset delusional disorders, Alzheimer, Parkinson, and delirium). The study of aripiprazole in these numerous indications is motivated by its excellent tolerance and original pharmacological effect (partial agonistic effect on the D2 and 5-HT1A receptors, and antagonistic effect on the 5-HT2A receptors). This paper reviews the recent literature, with particular attention paid to the level of proof provided by these various studies.

Hommet C, Mondon K, Camus V, De Toffol B, Constans T. · Geriatric Internal Medicine and Regional Memory Centre, University Hospital, Tours University, Tours, France. · Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. · Pubmed #18311076 No free full text.

Abstract: Epilepsy is a frequent condition in the elderly; however, it remains a relatively understudied condition in older adults with dementia. The diagnosis of a seizure is particularly difficult and is most often based on questions to the caregiver. Epilepsy in dementia has significant consequences on the prognosis of the underlying dementia: it can result in a worsening of cognitive performance, particularly in language, as well as a reduction in autonomy, a greater risk of injury and a higher mortality rate. In this review, management strategies are recommended for the clinician. The presence of pre-existing Alzheimer's disease does not exempt the clinician from ruling out other symptomatic causes of seizures. Anti-epileptic drugs (AED) should be started only after the diagnosis has been clearly established, when the risk of recurrence is high, and with monotherapy whenever possible. Although few data are available, the more recent AED offer significant advantages over the older medications in this context.

Aalten P, Verhey FR, Boziki M, Brugnolo A, Bullock R, Byrne EJ, Camus V, Caputo M, Collins D, De Deyn PP, Elina K, Frisoni G, Holmes C, Hurt C, Marriott A, Mecocci P, Nobili F, Ousset PJ, Reynish E, Salmon E, Tsolaki M, Vellas B, Robert PH. · Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands. · Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. · Pubmed #18025783 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the consistency of neuropsychiatric subsyndromes of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory across several clinical and demographic subgroups (e.g. dementia subtypes, dementia severity, medication use, age and gender) in a large sample of outpatients with dementia. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 2,808 patients with dementia from 12 centres from the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium were collected. Principal component analysis was used for factor analysis. Subanalyses were performed for dementia subtypes, dementia severity, medication use, age and gender. RESULTS: The results showed the relatively consistent presence of the 4 neuropsychiatric subsyndromes 'hyperactivity', 'psychosis', 'affective symptoms' and 'apathy' across the subanalyses. The factor structure was not dependent on dementia subtypes, age and gender but was dependent on dementia severity and cholinesterase use. The factors hyperactivity and affective symptoms were present in all subanalyses, but the presence of the factors apathy and psychosis was dependent on use of cholinesterase inhibitors and dementia severity, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study provided evidence of the relative consistency of neuropsychiatric subsyndromes across dementia subtypes, age and gender, thereby stressing the importance of thinking about neuropsychiatric subsyndromes instead of separate symptoms. However, the subsyndromes apathy and psychosis were dependent on use of cholinesterase inhibitors and dementia severity.

Aalten P, Verhey FR, Boziki M, Bullock R, Byrne EJ, Camus V, Caputo M, Collins D, De Deyn PP, Elina K, Frisoni G, Girtler N, Holmes C, Hurt C, Marriott A, Mecocci P, Nobili F, Ousset PJ, Reynish E, Salmon E, Tsolaki M, Vellas B, Robert PH. · Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University Hospital, Maastricht, The Netherlands. · Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. · Pubmed #17986816 links to  free full text

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify neuropsychiatric subsyndromes of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory in a large sample of outpatients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Cross-sectional data of 2,354 patients with AD from 12 centres from the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium were collected. Principal component analysis was used for factor analysis. RESULTS: The results showed the presence of 4 neuropsychiatric subsyndromes: hyperactivity, psychosis, affective symptoms and apathy. The subsyndrome apathy was the most common, occurring in almost 65% of the patients. CONCLUSION: This large study has provided additional robust evidence for the existence of neuropsychiatric subsyndromes in AD.

Vellas B, Gauthier S, Allain H, Andrieu S, Aquino JP, Berrut G, Berthel M, Blanchard F, Camus V, Dartigues JF, Dubois B, Forette F, Franco A, Gonthier R, Grand A, Hervy MP, Jeandel C, Joel ME, Jouanny P, Lebert F, Michot P, Montastruc JL, Nourhashemi F, Ousset PJ, Pariente J, Rigaud AS, Robert P, Ruault G, Strubel D, Touchon J, Verny M, Vetel JM. · No affiliation provided · J Nutr Health Aging. · Pubmed #16222399 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Isingrini E, Desmidt T, Belzung C, Camus V. · UMR INSERM U & CNRS FRE, CHRU de Tours, France. · Curr Opin Investig Drugs. · Pubmed #19127486 No free full text.

Abstract: Depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are among the most prevalent mental disorders in the elderly. Strong evidence suggests that vascular diseases and vascular risk factors are associated with both depression and AD, and could partially explain the coexistence or the concurrent onset of these two diseases. In particular, endothelial dysfunction appears to play a critical role in the neurobiology of depression and amyloid deposition in the brains of patients with AD. Antidepressants have a significant impact on endothelial function. In addition, several drugs used to treat vascular disease or vascular risk factors, such as calcium-channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins, have, to variable extents, significant clinical effects on depressive symptomatology or amyloid deposition in AD. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical data suggest that the nitric oxide and VEGF signaling pathways may be of value for the treatment of depression and AD.

Hurt C, Bhattacharyya S, Burns A, Camus V, Liperoti R, Marriott A, Nobili F, Robert P, Tsolaki M, Vellas B, Verhey F, Byrne EJ. · King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, London, UK. · Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. · Pubmed #18679028 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Behavioural and psychological symptoms have a high prevalence amongst patients with dementia and can be a significant source of distress to both patients and carers. The present study explored the relationships between quality of life and behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) from both patient and carer perspectives. Contextual factors surrounding the occurrence of BPSD were explored. METHODS: Forty-six patients and 116 carers completed questionnaire measures of BPSD and quality of life. RESULTS: BPSD were negatively associated with both patient and carer ratings of patient quality of life. The symptoms related to lower quality of life differed between patient and carer ratings: depression and irritability were found to predict lower carer ratings of quality of life, whilst delusions and apathy indicated lower patient ratings. Carers were found to be poor at identifying antecedents and consequences of BPSD. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of BPSD is associated with lower quality of life in dementia. Interventions designed to improve the quality of life for patients should focus on the BPSD specifically associated with the patient's rating of quality of life. Information regarding the role of contextual factors in behaviour management should be made available to carers.

Camus V, Gonthier R, Dubos G, Schwed P, Simeone I. · Geriatric Psychiatry Department, University of Lausanne School of Medicine, Switzerland. · J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. · Pubmed #10753006 No free full text.

Abstract: The existence of hyperactive, hypoactive, or mixed clinical subtypes of delirium is widely accepted. But relationships between these motor profiles and etiology or outcome remain unclear. The aim of this study was to compare etiologic and outcome profiles in a case series of 183 elderly patients (mean age = 84.1 years, SD = 5.9) consecutively admitted into the geriatric wards of two French university hospitals or referred to a geriatric psychiatry consultation-liaison unit within a Swiss university hospital. All patients met DSM-III-R criteria for delirium and were classified into clinical subtypes according to the results of a previous factor analysis of scores on a 19-item checklist rating a wide range of delirium symptoms. The hyperactive subtype was more frequent (n = 85, 46.5%) than the unspecified (n = 50, 27.3%) and hypoactive subtypes (n = 48, 26.2%). There was no significant difference in terms of etiologic or outcome profile between clinical subtype groups. The presence of acute metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and hyperthermia as etiologic factors was significantly associated with full recovery of the episode at 3 weeks follow-up, whereas probable preexisting dementia was significantly associated with partial recovery or failure to recover.

Arbus C, Soto ME, Andrieu S, Nourhashémi F, Camus V, Schmitt L, Vellas B, Anonymous00074. · No affiliation provided · Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. · Pubmed #18937213 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.