Neuropsychological differences between frontotemporal lobar degeneration and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Memory impairment is the main clinical feature in Alzheimer disease (AD), whereas in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) behavioral and language disorders predominate.ObjectivesTo investigate possible differences between the neuropsychological performance in FTLD and AD.MethodsFifty-six AD patients (mean age=72.98±7.43; mean schooling=9.62±4.68; 35 women and 21 men), 17 FTLD patients (mean age=67.64±7.93; mean schooling=12.12±4.77; 9 women and 8 men), and 60 controls (mean age=68.90±7.48; mean schooling=10.72±4.74; 42 women and 18 men) were submitted to a Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) and a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation composed of tasks assessing attention, visuoperceptual abilities, constructive abilities, executive functions, memory and language.ResultsDRS total score and subscales were not able to differentiate FTLD from AD patients. However, FTLD and AD patients showed statistically significant differences in performance in tests of verbal (Logical Memory, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) and visual (Visual Reproduction, recall of the Rey Complex Figure) episodic memory, verbal immediate memory (Logical Memory), attention with interference (Trail Making Test – Part B), verbal fluency (semantic and phonemic) and concept formation (WCST).ConclusionContrary to expectations, only a few tasks executive function tasks (Trail Making Test – Part B, F.A.S. and WCST) and two memory tests (verbal and visual episodic memory tests) were able to differentiate between FTLD and AD patients.

Multidimensional Clinical Assessment in Frontotemporal Dementia and Its Spectrum in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Narrative Review and a Glance at Future Challenges

“…The most frequent tests used to assess memory in FTD ( 82 ) are the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) ( 83 ) or similar word list-learning tests, such as the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT-R) ( 84 ) or the California Verbal Learning Tests (CVLT) ( 85 ), the computerized Paired Associate Learning Test (PAL) ( 86 ), the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) ( 87 ), the autobiographical memory interview ( 88 ), and the Cambridge Behavioral Prospective Memory Test (CAMPROMPT) ( 89 ). These instruments are also commonly used in LAC [e.g., ( 52 , 90 )], although most of them are not validated for this population.…”

Overview of the Complex Figure Test and Its Clinical Application in Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Including Copying and Recall

“…Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and behavioral disorders. Memory impairment is its core cognitive feature ( 44 ). The structure or function of the parietal lobe can be changed in the early stage, so the visuospatial ability test may be more accurate than other tests in distinguishing AD from non-AD ( 4 ).…”

“…Frontotemporal dementia (FTLD) is a type of dementia with damage to the frontal and temporal lobes, which is clinically characterized by behavioral and language disorders ( 44 ). Previous studies on ROCF in AD and FTLD have been controversial ( 4 , 57 ), which may be caused by different neuroanatomical bases and cognitive mechanisms.…”

“…He uses a simplified ROCF ( Figure 1I ) less affected by executive functions to evaluate visuospatial ability, which can better distinguish them. In addition, the delayed recall of ROCF can also distinguish them well ( 44 ).…”

Pesquisa de mutações do gene GRN e dosagem plasmática de progranulina em casuística brasileira de degeneração lobar frontotemporal

“…1,16 As queixas cognitivas podem ser menos proeminentes no início, porém ocorre declínio cognitivo com déficits em tarefas frontais/funções executivas, e preservação relativa de memória episódica e das funções visuoespaciais. 16,22,23 O início dos sintomas ocorre por volta dos 45-65 anos de idade (podendo variar entre terceira e oitava décadas), e há certa preponderância masculina. 20,24 Associação entre vcDFT e DNMparticularmente esclerose lateral amiotrófica (ELA) -ocorre em cerca de 15% dos casos de vcDFT, 25 e parkinsonismo é observado em 10-20% dos pacientes.…”