Electrophysiologic comparisons between two groups of patients with Alzheimer's disease
M. S. Albert, F. H. Duffy and G. B. McAnulty
Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Two groups of patients with Alzheimer's disease were compared using brain
electrical activity mapping. The patients were selected on the basis of
their cognitive history. The initial symptom of disease of the patients in
group 1 was a significant and profound memory deficit, whereas the patients
in group 2 initially presented with a gradually progressive spatial
impairment. Fourteen topographic features distinguished the groups. Eleven
of the 14 features pertained to electrical activity differences in parietal
regions, and 9 were bilateral. These features were highly correlated with
cognitive measures that are also useful in distinguishing the groups.
