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Topographical disorientation in Alzheimer's disease
Carla Cristina Guariglia1, Ricardo Nitrini
1Department of Neurology, Reference Center for Cognitive Disorders, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|January 14, 2010
Summary
Topographical disorientation (TD) occurs even in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). This spatial navigation deficit is not fully explained by basic spatial function impairments in mild AD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuropsychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Topographical disorientation (TD) is a common Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptom, yet understudied.
- Understanding TD's early onset and associated cognitive deficits is crucial for AD patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the prevalence of TD in probable AD patients.
- To identify specific neuropsychological dysfunctions linked to TD in AD.
Main Methods:
- A study involved 30 probable AD patients, their caregivers, and 30 healthy controls.
- Participants completed topographical orientation questionnaires and specific neuropsychological tests.
Main Results:
- AD patients, including those with mild dementia, showed significant differences from controls in topographical orientation and most related tests.
- Impairments in landmark recognition and route description were more pronounced in moderate dementia compared to mild dementia.
Conclusions:
- Topographical disorientation is present even in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
- The findings suggest TD in mild AD is not solely attributable to deficits in fundamental spatial abilities.
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