Aims: To explore emotional reactivity in mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using film material, investigating the influence of dementia-related material and awareness of condition. Methods: Twenty-two patients with AD and 21 healthy older adults viewed films with positive, neutral or negative content, including a film about dementia. Reactivity was measured through a self-report questionnaire and filming of facial expressions. Awareness of condition was assessed contrasting patients’ versus informants’ versions of an anosognosia questionnaire. Results: The AD patients showed reduced self-reported reactivity to negative films, but exhibited a pattern of facial responses similar to controls for all films. Awareness was associated with frequency of negative facial expressions during the dementia film. Conclusions: AD patients may have impairments in self-reported reactivity to negative stimuli. Awareness may mediate responses to dementia-related material.

Keywords:
Dementia, Emotional processing, Facial expressions, Awareness, Anosognosia
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© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
2012
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