Accuracy of the Brazilian version of the Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI-16) in the neuropsychological assessment of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease

The aim of the present study was to ascertain the accuracy of the Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI-16) for patients with probable Alzheimer, as well as to compare it with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB). The study included 159 elderly people, aged over 60 years, 50 with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer and 109 without the pathology. In the total sample, the cut-off point of the PSI-16 was > 19 points, with sensitivity and specificity moderate. Accuracy in the group with a ³ 8 years of education was superior in all instruments. The AUCs of PSI-16 and MMSE remained similar, the SE of all instruments increased, and the SP obtained a decline, considering the elderly over 70 years old. PSI-16 is a self-report instrument suitable for tracking behavioral problems related to the prefrontal cortex, with little impact from age and education level.