Effect of Methylphenidate for Apathy on Visual Attention Scanning Behavior: a Pilot Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.21.291Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease, apathy, methylphenidate, eye-trackingAbstract
Background
The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the potential of eye-tracking technology in monitoring symptoms and predicting outcomes in apathetic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients treated with methylphenidate (MTP).
Methods
Neuropsychological tests and eye-tracking measurements were completed at baseline and following at least four weeks of treatment with MTP (5–10 mg BID). Eye-movements were measured while patients viewed novel and social stimuli. Cognition, behavior, and apathy were assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental State Exam (sMMSE), Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), respectively.
Results
Nine patients were included in the analysis (age: median=75, interquartile range=8; sMMSE: median=22, interquartile range=14). Spearman correlations showed that improvement on the AES was associated with increased visual attention towards novel stimuli (ρ7=-0.809, p=.008). Additionally, lower baseline attention towards social images was associated with improvement on the AES (ρ7=0.905, p=.001).
Conclusions
Eye-tracking techniques can be developed as an objective and nonverbal method of monitoring symptoms and treatment outcomes in AD patients.
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Authors contributing to the Candian Geriatrics Journal retain copyright of their work, with exclusive publication rights granted to the Canadian Geriatrics Society upon article acceptance. Read the journal's full copyright and open access policy.