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From Neurodevelopmental to Neurodegenerative Disorders: Investigating Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd) in Patients With Dementia Publisher



Mohammadian Rasnani F1 ; Zavieh A2 ; Heidari A3, 4 ; Motamed M1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Students’ Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Applied Neuropsychology:Adult Published:2023


Abstract

Dementia is characterized by a progressive cognitive decline that could be caused by several disorders. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders that might overlap with dementia symptoms. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the ASD and ADHD symptoms in dementia patients referred to a memory clinic in Iran. We recruited 65 dementia patients and instructed them to fill out the autism quotient (AQ) and the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) questionnaires. Considering the cutoff points of AQ and CAARS questionnaires, 18.5% of participants were at higher risk of ASD, and 35.4% were at higher risk of ADHD. The results indicated that ADHD and ASD symptoms might be common comorbidities in patients with dementia which can increase the disease burden. Specialized ADHD and ASD screening tools in the elderly population with dementia are needed to prevent misdiagnoses due to symptom overlaps. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.