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Longitudinal changes in primary progressive aphasias: differences in cognitive and dementia staging measures
S Hsieh1, J R Hodges, C E Leyton
1Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, N.S.W., Australia.
Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
|September 26, 2012
Summary
Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) variants show distinct longitudinal changes on cognitive and functional measures compared to Alzheimer's disease. These findings are crucial for understanding dementia progression and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) encompasses several neurodegenerative syndromes.
- Understanding the distinct longitudinal progression of PPA variants is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess the cognitive and functional decline in three PPA variants.
- To compare the progression rates of PPA variants with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Main Methods:
- Utilized Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) and Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale (FRS) for assessments.
- Analyzed data from 55 patients (38 PPA, 17 AD) with at least two assessments.
- Included 17 semantic variant (svPPA), 12 non-fluent/agrammatic (naPPA), and 9 logopenic variant (lvPPA) PPA cases.
Main Results:
- All PPA variants exhibited a faster decline than AD on the ACE-R.
- Semantic variant PPA (svPPA) and non-fluent/agrammatic PPA (naPPA) showed greater decline than AD on the FRS.
- Logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA) did not significantly differ from AD on the FRS.
Conclusions:
- The longitudinal trajectory of cognitive and functional impairment varies significantly across PPA subtypes.
- These distinct profiles have implications for theoretical understanding and clinical care of dementia patients.
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