Clinical course of neuropathologically confirmed frontal-variant Alzheimer's disease

Nat Clin Pract Neurol. 2008 Apr;4(4):226-32. doi: 10.1038/ncpneuro0746. Epub 2008 Feb 19.

Abstract

Background A 66-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of personality changes marked by increasing apathy, social withdrawal and deficits in complex attention, and a 1-year history of progressive memory problems and difficulties in planning and carrying out complex tasks. Investigations Three neuropsychological examinations over 2 years, neurological examination, routine laboratory tests, brain MRI, single-photon emission CT scan, genetic analyses, and neuropathological examination. Diagnosis A clinical diagnosis of frontal-variant frontotemporal dementia was superseded by postmortem neuropathological evidence, which established a diagnosis of frontal-variant Alzheimer's disease. Management The patient and his spouse were referred for counseling, and the patient was referred for follow-up examinations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
  • Behavioral Symptoms / diagnosis
  • Behavioral Symptoms / pathology
  • Behavioral Symptoms / psychology
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / pathology
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Frontal Lobe / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personality Disorders / diagnosis
  • Personality Disorders / pathology
  • Personality Disorders / psychology