Alzheimer Disease: Léger JM

Belmin J, Léger JM. · No affiliation provided · Presse Med. · Pubmed #17855044 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Petit H, Albarède JL, Bakchine S, Boulliat J, Cogneau J, Darcourt G, Dubois B, Forette F, Franco A, Héres J, Hinault P, Laurent B, Léger JM, Marin La Meslée R, Montagne B, Poncet M, Robert P, Sorbé G, Touchon J, Velas B, Vetel JM. · Neurologue (Clinique Neurologique, CHRU Roger Salengro 59037 Lille Cedex, France. · Rev Neurol (Paris). · Pubmed #10844378 No free full text.

This publication has no abstract.

Léger JM, Moulias R, Robert P, Vellas B, Chapuy PH, Monfort JC, Khoshnood B, Bouee S, Rebah N, Gerard D. · University Psychiatric Department, Esquirol Hospital, Limoges, France. · Int Psychogeriatr. · Pubmed #12670061 No free full text.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological features of agitation and aggressiveness in elderly individuals living in French nursing and retirement homes in the year 2000. Data were collected on the type, time of onset, and duration of symptoms, medical evaluation and treatment, and medical and psychiatric comorbidities of the elderly patients. The most frequently reported behavior was verbal aggressiveness and the least reported behavior was physical aggressiveness. A triggering factor initiating the symptoms of agitation or aggressiveness was reported in 61% of the cases. In 61% of the study population, there were several morbidities reported as caused by the agitated or aggressive behavior (anorexia, weight loss, dehydration). A specialist was consulted for nearly half of the agitated or aggressive patients. For 55% of the patients, a new medication regimen was started or the administration of previous medications was modified, the most frequently prescribed drugs being antipsychotics. The results of our study and others show that agitation and aggression have a substantial impact on the lives of the elderly population, as well as on the lives of their family members and caretakers.

Thomas P, Clément JP, Hazif-Thomas C, Léger JM. · Louis Pasteur Geriatric Daycare Hospital, F-86036 Poitiers, France. · Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. · Pubmed #11241725 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to look at the correlation between the presence of apathy measured by Marin's scale and family complaints related to withdrawal and the loss of motivation, or depression. The multicentre study was performed on 58 non-demented elderly people, 132 outpatients with Alzheimer's-type dementia, as well as their main caregiver. METHODS: After agreement of the patients and the family, the patients were assessed using different scales: Cornell's for depression, Marin's for apathy, MMS for cognitive disorders, and IRG for dependence. At the same time, two self-administered questionnaires were given to the patients' families: one concerning a list of complaints scored from 1 to 4 relating to various disorders and the other addressing the boundary ambiguities translated from Boss' questionnaire. The 58 non-demented people were 81.20 years old+/-13.75. One hundred and thirty-two demented patients were included: 39 men and 93 women. The mean age was 79.47 years+/-9.03. RESULTS: The first family complaint relates to the loss of motivation (65%). Apathy and depression occur more frequently in dementia, in particular when the MMS is degraded. Depression and apathy attracted a high complaint score. In our study the score of boundary ambiguity is higher among patients with a weak cognitive status. A high level of ambiguity is accompanied by a high score of family complaints. When the family complaint concerning the loss of motivation is present, apathy is significantly more common. Family complaints about withdrawal and loss of motivation are frequently present, and are congruent with the actual presence of apathy in the patient. It bears witness to the distress felt by families faced with the loss of ability noted in the demented person. The family's difficulties are increased by the patient's depression.