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Brain & Heart Practical tips for AD and PD

volume of patients in outpatient clinics. With limited 4.5.2. Calculation
time and resources, clinicians require efficient diagnostic Calculation skills are pivotal for evaluating cognitive
tools that can aid in accurate and rapid decision-making. flexibility and problem-solving abilities. The observed lower
Comprehensive assessments, encompassing MMSE, digit- scores in calculation tasks within the AD group, compared
span test, calculation, abstraction, and BNT, provide an with the PD-D group, accentuate the distinctive cognitive
overarching cognitive evaluation framework that can be deficits in AD. The discrepancy hints at the potential role
efficiently integrated into the clinical workflow [18,19,20,23] . In of calculation tasks as a discriminatory tool, showcasing
this study, there was no statistical difference in the total
MMSE scores, a clear indication that specific assessments, the multifaceted nature of cognitive impairment across
[20]
such as clock drawing, calculation, and verbal fluency, different types of dementia .
were required for a comprehensive evaluation. 4.5.3. Verbal fluency

4.4. Tailored approach to functional impairment Verbal fluency tasks encompass a fusion of tests for probing
This study addresses the different patterns of cognitive language and executive functions, which reveal intricate
decline among AD and PD-D patients. While both aspects of cognitive decline. Verbal fluency, as assessed in
conditions share some common clinical features, such this study, is an indicator of the disparities between AD and
as memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction, PD-D. Our findings corroborate the prevailing notion that
differences in domains such as calculation and verbal AD primarily manifests as a language-based impairment,
fluency exist. These insights guide physicians in tailoring while PD-D often involves a more complex interplay of
[15]
interventions to address the specific cognitive deficits motor and cognitive deficits .
associated with each condition [15,34] . 4.6. Limitations
4.5. Enhancing patient care in outpatient settings Our study, while providing valuable insights into the
This research has direct implications for enhancing patient differential functional and cognitive impairment profiles
care in busy outpatient settings. Physicians can leverage the of AD and PD-D, is not devoid of limitations. The
presented diagnostic tools and criteria to streamline the sample size may limit the generalizability of our findings,
diagnostic process and improve the accuracy of dementia necessitating caution when extrapolating results to broader
diagnosis. By identifying functional impairments, cognitive populations. In addition, the cross-sectional nature of the
deficits, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, clinicians can study limits our ability to establish causal relationships or
offer personalized care and interventions that cater to the trace the progression of functional and cognitive decline
unique needs of AD and PD-D patients. over time. Similar studies involving larger sample sizes
will be able to provide more informative findings.
The highlight of this study is the detailed examination
of specific subsections within cognitive assessment tools, 4.7. Implications
shedding light on the nuanced cognitive deficits that
differentiate between AD and PD-D. The observation that The meticulous examination of subsections within
scores of the MMSE show no statistical difference between cognitive assessment tools carries implications that extend
the patient groups underscores the need for a more beyond diagnosis. Our findings underscore the necessity
granular analysis of cognitive domains . In this context, of incorporating detailed cognitive assessment in clinical
[35]
our study places emphasis on three key subsections: clock practice, going beyond total scores to dissect cognitive
drawing, calculation, and verbal fluency. domains. This approach helps enhance diagnostic
accuracy, refine treatment planning, and customize
4.5.1. Clock drawing interventions to cater to the cognitive deficits unique in
As a method of assessing visuospatial ability, clock drawing different individuals. Moreover, subsections such as clock
is a valuable approach for distinguishing between AD and drawing, calculation, and verbal fluency are potential
PD-D. The ability to draw a clock face and set the hands to a targeted cognitive assessment tools that lend themselves
specific time encapsulates intricate visuospatial and executive useful to clinicians in making differential diagnosis and
functions. Our findings align with previous research planning personalized care.
indicating that clock drawing performance is significantly 5. Conclusion
worse in AD compared with PD-D. This discrepancy points
to the selective impairment of visuospatial abilities in AD, a Functional impairment is a linchpin in the differentiation
characteristic that can be leveraged in clinical assessments of AD and PD-D, wielding immense implications for
for differential diagnosis [24,36] . clinical practice. While the manifestation of cognitive

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/bh.1712