Journal Article

FZJ-2025-03980

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Apraxic deficits predict general cognitive impairment in patients with biomarker-verified Alzheimer’s pathology

Schmidt, C. C. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Bardakan, M. M.FZJ* ; Jaeger, E. ; Richter, N. ; Bischof, G. N. ; Giehl, K.FZJ* ; Onur, O. A. ; Jessen, F. ; Fink, G. R.FZJ* ; Drzezga, A.FZJ* ; Weiss-Blankenhorn, P.FZJ*

2025
Steinkopff [Darmstadt]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1007/s00415-025-13401-9  doi:10.34734/FZJ-2025-03980

Abstract: Apraxia represents a core feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and tau deposition. However, systematic descriptions of apraxic deficits in AD patients remain scarce. Here, we comprehensively investigate apraxia profiles and their link with cognitive impairment in patients with biomarker-verified Alzheimer's pathology. We characterised the frequency and patterns of apraxic deficits in patients with biomarker-verified Alzheimer's pathology using a battery of standardised apraxia tests. Demographic variables and apraxia scores were related to patients' general cognitive impairment using hierarchical regression analysis. Apraxic deficits were found in 67% of patients with biomarker-verified Alzheimer's pathology (n = 63). Patients with Alzheimer's pathology were more impaired in imitating finger gestures (than hand gestures: 89.2% vs. 80.0%, p < 0.001) and imitating complex hand movements (than single hand movements: 97.4% vs. 78.5%, p < 0.001), even when controlling for general cognitive impairment. Apraxia assessments explained about 60% of the variance in dementia severity, with performance in the KAS subtest of pantomiming object use (beta coefficient: 0.47, p = 0.001) and the DATE subtest for limb apraxia (beta coefficient: 0.37, p = 0.005) constituting significant predictors of general cognitive impairment. These findings emphasise the relevance of apraxia in patients with biomarker-verified Alzheimer's pathology, revealing that praxis deficits predict general cognitive impairment in AD. Further research is warranted into the role of apraxia as a potential early diagnostic criterion in AD.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Kognitive Neurowissenschaften (INM-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 5251 - Multilevel Brain Organization and Variability (POF4-525) (POF4-525)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)431549029 - SFB 1451: Schlüsselmechanismen normaler und krankheitsbedingt gestörter motorischer Kontrolle (431549029) (431549029)
3. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)491111487 - Open-Access-Publikationskosten / 2025 - 2027 / Forschungszentrum Jülich (OAPKFZJ) (491111487) (491111487)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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