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Updated: Mar 23, 2026
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Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
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A Young Man With Progressive Language Difficulty and Early-Onset Dementia
Hugo Botha1, Bradley F Boeve1, Lyell K Jones1
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
JAMA Neurology
|March 29, 2016
Summary
This case study details a man with progressive cognitive decline, focusing on language difficulties and behavioral changes over 22 years. Autopsy confirmed the final diagnosis, highlighting a rare neurodegenerative condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Pathology
Background:
- Cognitive decline can manifest with varied symptoms, including language and behavioral changes.
- Early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases is challenging, often requiring long-term observation.
Observation:
- A middle-aged man experienced gradual word-finding difficulties and expressive language impairment.
- Over a decade, he developed reasoning deficits, apathy, and disinhibition.
Findings:
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed left anterior temporal lobe atrophy.
- The patient's symptoms progressed over 22 years, culminating in a confirmed diagnosis via autopsy.
Implications:
- This case highlights the diverse clinical presentations of neurodegenerative disorders.
- Longitudinal observation and advanced imaging are vital for diagnosing rare conditions.
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