THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND BEHAVIORAL FUNCTIONING IN PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMER\u27S TYPE

The implications of a depression superimposed upon dementia of the Alzheimer\u27s-type have been reported in recent research. Although cognitive functioning does not appear to be further compromised by depression, decline in behavioral functioning (performance of tasks of activities of daily living) had not been adequately explored. In this investigation, it was hypothesized that degree of cognitive decline would be most closely associated with decline in behavioral functioning, but that depression also would account for observed differences. Gender of subject was hypothesized to have no relationship to degree of depression or degree of impairment in behavioral functioning. Degree of cognitive decline was supported as the major contributory factor in decline of behavioral functioning, and depression emerged as a significant factor for basic, personal self-care activities but not for complex tasks. No differences due to gender were observed for degree of depression or degree of behavioral functioning. Age was covaried due to the observed, unpredictably high correlation with variables of interest. Younger subjects tended to be the most depressed. Questions for further research are suggested, related to further examination of cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning in Alzheimer\u27s disease