To examine the association between neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and the presence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative pathologies in older adults without dementia at baseline.
Key Findings:
AD+ individuals were 88.4% more likely to be MBI+ compared to AD− individuals.
No significant associations were found between LBD pathology and MBI.
MBI+ individuals had a 2.03-fold greater progression rate to AD dementia than those without NPS.
The effect of MBI on progression was greater in individuals with normal cognition compared to those with mild cognitive impairment.
Interpretation:
Antecedent MBI is strongly associated with AD pathology but not with other neurodegenerative dementias, suggesting its potential role in identifying early stages of neurodegenerative disease and informing clinical practice.
Limitations:
The study is observational and may not establish causation.
The sample may not be representative of the general population due to selection bias in autopsy participants.
The observational nature of the study limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about causality.
Conclusion:
Inclusion of MBI in research and clinical frameworks for dementia may aid in early identification and treatment selection for patients at risk of AD.
