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Behavioral correlates of GABAergic disruption in Alzheimer's disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2006

Krista L. Lanctôt ,
Nathan Herrmann ,
Lana Rothenburg  and
Goran Eryavec
Krista L. Lanctôt
Affiliation:
Neuropharmacology Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nathan Herrmann
Affiliation:
Neuropharmacology Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Lana Rothenburg
Affiliation:
Neuropharmacology Research Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Goran Eryavec
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Departments of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Seniors' Health Centre, North York General Hospital, North York, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract

Background: Losses of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been variably demonstrated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may be related to the presence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in AD. Our objective was to assess the relationship between plasma GABA (pGABA) levels and specific BPSD in patients with severe AD.

Methods: pGABA levels and BPSD were measured in 14 institutionalized AD patients (8M/6F, mean age ± S.D. = 85.6 ± 4.5 years) with severe cognitive impairment (Mini-mental State Examination score = 4.5 ± 4.6) and prominent behavioral disturbances (Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) score = 33.4 ± 23.6).

Results: pGABA was positively correlated with depression and apathy scores on the NPI and negatively correlated with age. Apathy and age were independent predictors of pGABA levels.

Conclusions: The final stages of AD are associated with GABAergic changes, which may contribute to depression and apathy in AD.

Keywords

GABABPSDAlzheimer's diseaseapathydepression
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , February 2007 , pp. 151 - 158
Copyright
International Psychogeriatric Association 2006

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