Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
Frontal-executive versus posterior-perceptual mental status deficits in early-onset dementias
Mario F Mendez1, Aaron M McMurtray, Eliot A Licht
1Department of Neurology, Neurobehavior Unit, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California 90073, USA. mmendez@ucla.edu
Background:
Compared to late-onset dementias, early-onset dementias (EODs) may have greater focal cognitive involvement with differences in frontal-executive compared to posterior-perceptual deficits.
Objective:
This study evaluated whether mental status screening based on this frontal-posterior axis can distinguish EODs.
Methods:
Twenty-three patients each with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (eAD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), or subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD), and 20 normal controls underwent the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and the Perceptual Assessment Battery (PAB).
Results:
Compared to controls, SIVD and FTD groups were impaired on the FAB whereas eAD and SIVD groups were impaired on the PAB. The FAB/PAB ratio further differentiated the groups (F(3,85) = 26.49, P < .001). For sensitivities and specificities of 93%, a cut-off score of 1.25 on the FAB/PAB distinguished eAD, and a cut-off of 0.83 distinguishing FTD.
Conclusion:
Although preliminary, this study indicates that mental status screening based on frontal versus posterior cortical functions may help clinicians diagnose EODs.
More Related Videos
07:03Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
Published on: July 31, 2019
06:23The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: October 13, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Dementia l: Introduction
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Lateralization