When posterior cortical atrophy invests art: a case report

Neurocase. 2020 Jun;26(3):171-174. doi: 10.1080/13554794.2020.1764054. Epub 2020 May 7.

Abstract

A 63-year-old woman was referred for visuospatial difficulties. The clinical and neuropsychological examination in association with imaging and biomarkers led to a diagnosis of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). The patient, an amateur watercolor artist, continued to paint throughout her disease and her paintings illustrate in an original way the progression of her disorders. At an advanced stage, the evolution of neurovisual disorders is difficult to evaluate in patients. While studies have shown changes in artistic style in neurodegenerative diseases, none of them concerned PCA. Artistic production enables a different approach to trying to understand the progression of disorders.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Posterior cortical atrophy; art; closing-in; visuospatial disorders.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Art*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / pathology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases* / physiopathology
  • Occipital Lobe* / pathology
  • Occipital Lobe* / physiopathology
  • Parietal Lobe* / physiology
  • Parietal Lobe* / physiopathology
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Space Perception / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*