Correlation between Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Corresponding author: zhangmanru, njmr234567@163.com

DOI: 10.12201/bmr.202602.00097

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  Abstract: Objective To explore the relationship between neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive function, as well as the influencing factors, in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods A total of 50 AD patients, 69 MCI patients and 51 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in the study. Behavioral pathology in Alzheimer’s disease rating scale (BEHAVE-AD) was used to assess neuropsychiatric symptoms. Cognitive function was evaluated by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and montreal mognitive assessment (MOCA). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Hamilton anxiety scale and Hamilton depression scale, respectively. Sleep quality was assessed with Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Pearson correlation analysis, analysis of covariance, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed for statistical evaluation. Results The total scores of BEHAVE-AD and PSQI in the AD group were significantly higher than those in the MCI and HC groups (P<0.01), while the total scores of MMSE, MOCA and their respective subscale scores were significantly lower (P<0.01). The total BEHAVE-AD score was negatively correlated with the total MMSE score (r=-0.644, P<0.01) and total MOCA score (r=-0.626, P<0.01), but positively correlated with the total PSQI score (r=0.971, P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the total MMSE score (B=-0.390, P=0.027) and total MOCA score (B=-2.680, P=0.039) had a negative impact on the total BEHAVE-AD score, whereas visuospatial and executive function (B=0.677, P=0.035) and abstract function (B=0.438, P=0.017) exerted a positive impact on it, The model showed a good fit with R2=0.466 (P<0.05). Conclusion Cognitive decline, neuropsychiatric symptoms and sleep disorders are common in AD and MCI patients. Neuropsychiatric symptoms exacerbate with the decline of cognitive function. The total scores of MMSE and MOCA, along with visuospatial and executive function as well as abstract function, are key factors affecting neuropsychiatric symptoms, which can provide potential targets for clinical early intervention.

  Key words: Alzheimers disease; Mild cognitive impairment; Behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia; Cognitive function; Correlation

  Submit time: 26 February 2026

  Copyright: The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted biomedRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity.
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