Memory impairment at initial clinical presentation in posterior cortical atrophy

Ahmed, Samrah, Baker, Ian, Husain, Masud, Thompson, Sian, Kipps, Christopher, Hornberger, Michael ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2214-3788, Hodges, John R. and Butler, Christopher R. (2016) Memory impairment at initial clinical presentation in posterior cortical atrophy. Journal of Alzheimers Disease, 52 (4). pp. 1245-1250. ISSN 1387-2877

Preview

PDF (Hornberger M_Memory in PCA_accepted manuscript) - Accepted Version Download (587kB) | Preview

Abstract

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is characterized by core visuospatial and visuoperceptual deficits, and predominant atrophy in the parieto-occipital cortex. The most common underlying pathology is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Existing diagnostic criteria suggest that episodic memory is relatively preserved. The aim of this study was to examine memory performance at initial clinical presentation in PCA, compared to early-onset AD patients (EOAD). 15 PCA patients and 32 EOAD patients, and 34 healthy controls were entered into the study. Patients were tested on the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-R), consisting of subscales in memory and visuospatial skills. PCA and EOAD patients were significantly impaired compared to controls on the ACE total score (p <  0.001), visuospatial skills (p <  0.001), and memory (p <  0.001). Consistent with the salient diagnostic deficits, PCA patients were significantly more impaired on visuospatial skills compared to EOAD patients (p <  0.001). However, there was no significant difference between patient groups in memory. Further analysis of learning, recall, and recognition components of the memory subscale showed that EOAD and PCA patients were significantly impaired compared to controls on all three components (p <  0.001), however, there was no significant difference between EOAD and PCA patients. The results of this study show that memory is impaired in the majority of PCA patients at clinical presentation. The findings suggest that memory impairment must be considered in assessment and management of PCA and second. Further study into memory in PCA is warranted, since the ACE-R is a brief screening tool and is likely to underestimate the presence of memory impairment.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	The final publication is available at IOS Press through http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/JAD-160018
Uncontrolled Keywords:	diagnosis,early onset alzheimer’s disease,memory,neuropsychology
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Mental Health Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	18 May 2016 15:00
Last Modified:	24 Sep 2024 11:41
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/58876
DOI:	10.3233/JAD-160018

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item