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The contribution of behavioral features to caregiver burden in FTLD spectrum disorders
Author(s) -
Silverman Hannah E.,
Ake Jeannie M.,
Manoochehri Masood,
Appleby Brian S.,
Brushaber Danielle,
Devick Katrina L.,
Dickerson Bradford C.,
Fields Julie A.,
Forsberg Leah K.,
Ghoshal Nupur,
GraffRadford Neill R.,
Grossman Murray,
Heuer Hilary W.,
Kornak John,
Lapid Maria I.,
Litvan Irene,
Mackenzie Ian R.,
Mendez Mario F.,
Onyike Chiadi U.,
Pascual Belen,
Tartaglia Maria Carmela,
Boeve Bradley F.,
Boxer Adam L.,
Rosen Howard J.,
Cosentino Stephanie,
Huey Edward D.,
Barker Megan S.,
Goldman Jill S.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.12494
Subject(s) - apathy , caregiver burden , disinhibition , dementia , psychosis , psychiatry , psychology , clinical psychology , frontotemporal lobar degeneration , disease , medicine , frontotemporal dementia , cognition , pathology
Caregivers of patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) spectrum disorders experience tremendous burden, which has been associated with the neuropsychiatric and behavioral features of the disorders. Methods In a sample of 558 participants with FTLD spectrum disorders, we performed multiple‐variable regressions to identify the behavioral features that were most strongly associated with caregiver burden, as measured by the Zarit Burden Interview, at each stage of disease. Results Apathy and disinhibition, as rated by both clinicians and caregivers, as well as clinician‐rated psychosis, showed the strongest associations with caregiver burden, a pattern that was consistent when participants were separated cross‐sectionally by disease stage. In addition, behavioral features appeared to contribute most to caregiver burden in patients with early dementia. Discussion Caregivers should be provided with early education on the management of the behavioral features of FTLD spectrum disorders. Interventions targeting apathy, disinhibition, and psychosis may be most useful to reduce caregiver burden.