Movement Related Cortical Potentials Are Correlated To Neuropsychological Tests In Alzheimer's Disease

The movement related cortical potentials (MRCP) are a useful tool for investigating the planning of a motor activity. Before the movement, a negative cortical potential appears maximum amplitude over at frontal lobes. Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia and cognitive deficits include those related to frontal lobes. In the present study, we investigated MRCP and whether a correlation between neuropsychological tests and MRCP exists in mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The neuropsychological tests and MRCP were performed in 23 AD patients and 20 healthy aged controls. Patient group fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for dementia and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for probable AD. The MRCP and neuropsychological tests were compared in age- and gender-matched healthy controls. MRCP were abnormal in AD patients, Bereitshaftspotential and M1 amplitudes were significantly lower in AD patients (p< 0.05). MRCP alterations seen in patients correlate to neuropsychological tests. Our findings imply a loss of motor preplanning caused by deranged neuronal input into supplementary motor areas and sensorimotor areas, i.e. the generators of MRCP, in early AD.