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A comparison of emotional processes in patients with dementia from Alzheimer-type and healthy elderly : a systematic literature review.

Ransmann, R.B. (2018) A comparison of emotional processes in patients with dementia from Alzheimer-type and healthy elderly : a systematic literature review.

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Abstract:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by brain atrophy, leading to the possibility of changes in the emotional system. Brain structures of healthy elderly are also affected by changes, which leads to the question whether differences in emotional processing are caused by age or AD. This thesis compares emotion expression, experience, regulation and the positivity effect in healthy elderly and AD patients. Three databases were searched and eight suitable articles were detected. Selection criteria were mainly the focus on AD patients, the inclusion of a healthy elderly control group, and specified measurements for either one or more of the chosen processes. All studies detected subtle changes between the groups, but all in all there are little differences of emotional processes between patients mildly or moderately affected by AD and healthy elderly. Moreover, the positivity effect was detectable in AD patients. The findings support the fact that the brain area affected mostly in AD is the neocortex. The limbic system is relatively spared in mild to moderate AD. These results can be used to improve the care for AD patients. Positive emotions can be induced to the patients via positive mood of caretakers or visitors and remain to up to 30 minutes.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/75043
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