Articles: dementia.
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Biological psychiatry · Aug 1993
Comparative StudySerial quantitative EEG among elderly subjects with delirium.
Serial quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) studies were performed in 33 elderly delirious, demented, and control subjects to determine which QEEG variables were associated with changes in clinical state as measured by the Folstein Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). Conventional EEGs and brain maps were independently rated by two electroencephalographers without knowledge of clinical diagnoses. Correlational analyses were performed using these ratings, along with numerical data from QEEG. ⋯ In the dementia group (n = 10), changes in score for absolute power maps and changes in absolute power in the delta band had significant associations with changes in MMSE. In the control group, changes in MMSE over time were negligible. These findings have potential clinical utility in diagnosing delirium, and in providing a quantitative measure of its severity, which can be used serially.
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The Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) is a brief, structured test of cognitive function. The test is often used as a screening or case-finding instrument for the detection of organic mental disorders or cognitive impairment. However, many clinicians incorporate the MMSE into their clinical mental status examination. ⋯ Scores are interpreted in terms of their consistency or inconsistency with a prior diagnostic impression. This takes prior clinical information and clinical judgment into account. Although different from the traditional way of interpreting the MMSE, the proposed method can be implemented on an intuitive level and does not require mathematical calculations, which are inconvenient at the bedside.
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This article reviews research related to assessment and interventions for cognitive impairment conducted by nurses as principal and coinvestigators. It focuses on the broad areas of delirium and dementia, which are divided into assessment and intervention-related research. The intervention research begins with descriptive studies and has subdivisions for primary and secondary symptoms. Ideas for future research follow.