Demencia tipo alzhéimer y toma de decisiones

Resumen

It is relevant to know about how the process of decision making works in Alzheimer Type Dementia (ATD) and the possible dysfunctions which can appear due to the deterioration of this process. This relevance is justified by the fact that decision making is common in our life, what contributes to adaptation to the environment in which we are living. The target of this work is to know how the process of decision making works in ATD patients, if they are aimed at risk or no, and the relationship with the performance in the task with the cognitive status in every one of valuated areas. The sample was 10 ADT patients, in initial-moderate stage, from 60 to 80 years old, to compared with control subjects. Instruments: The “Cartas [Cards]” task, in which subjects must choose among some options having more or less risk. Screening Dementia Test: “Mini-examen cognoscitivo de Lobo”, “Follow the instruction drawing, the Clock Drawing test”, “Clock Drawing Test copy” and Verbal Fluency Test from Isaacs. The results indicated that the subjects with ADT in initial stages present some risk tendency in decision making, but they learn something about the task. It seems that cognitive damage and the involvement level from different brain areas are related to the decision making mode.