Clinical, neuropsychological and imaging characteristics of Alzheimer's disease patients presenting as corticobasal syndrome

J Neurol Sci. 2019 Mar 15:398:142-147. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.01.046. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Abstract

Background: Corticobasal syndrome (CBS) can harbor diverse pathologies, such as corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). CSF biochemical analysis in CBS patients can confidently distinguish between an AD (CBS-AD) and a non-AD (CBS-nAD) pathology.

Objective: We utilized classical CSF biomarkers to make a distinction between the two groups and examine their clinical, neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric and imaging differences.

Methods: Seventeen patients with a CBS phenotype were included. Detailed clinical history, and neurological examination data were recorded. A thorough neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric test battery was performed, including Goldenberg apraxia test. Simple linear MRI measurements and planimetry data were utilized. CSF biomarkers for AD were ascertained.

Results: Five of seventeen CBS patients had a CSF AD profile. Patients with a CSF AD profile (CBS-AD; n = 5) were older and had a greater age at disease onset compared to CBS-nAD. CBS-AD patients had more frequently alien hand phenomena at examination and greater hippocampi surface asymmetry at MRI. CBS-nAD patients (n = 12) had lower superior colliculi width values.

Conclusion: Clinical, neuropsychological and imaging data cannot confidently differentiate CBS-AD from CBS-nAD patients.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Biomarkers; Cerebrospinal fluid; Corticobasal syndrome.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnostic imaging*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology*
  • Basal Ganglia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / psychology*
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cerebral Cortex / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Biomarkers