Young population with cognitive complaint: neuropsychological performance and neuropsychiatric symptoms

Abstract

Introduction: Neurocognitive Disorders (NCD), also called Dementia, includes those disorders in which the main clinical deficit is failure in one or more cognitive functions and which are acquired. Early Onset Dementia (EOD) is defined as major NCD that begins before age 65, with diverse etiological causes and a significant impact on health costs and family quality of life. Neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, may be non- neurodegenerative causes of cognitive impairment and complaints. This study focuses on describing the performance in the Neurocognitive Assessment (NCA) and the presence of depression, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in young people who consult for cognitive complaints in a neurology service. Materials and methods: descriptive, retrospective study based on Cognitive Tests reports from young patients (≤64 years) who consulted for cognitive complaints between June 2018 and December 2022. Patients with a history of neurodevelopmental disorders were excluded. We classified patients into categories based on their cognitive performance and impairment in activities of daily living. Additionally, demographic data, neurological and psychiatric history were collected, and scales were used to assess neuropsychiatric symptoms. Results: of the 214 Cognitive Tests reports, 54.21 % were normal, while the remaining showed cognitive impairment. No statistically significant differences were found in the presence of depression or anxiety between the groups with normal and pathological NCD. However, 84 % of cases presented neuropsychiatric symptoms according to family reports, with depression and anxiety being the most reported. Conclusions: normal cognitive performance was obtained in more than half of the sample and some degree of cognitive impairment in the rest. A high frequency of neuropsychiatric symptoms was detected. The importance of a complete NCA and the detection of neuropsychiatric symptoms for early intervention in young patients is highlight.