Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
06:48

Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: June 25, 2019

9.7K

[51-Year-old Patient With Word Finding Difficulties]

Nathalie Mayor1,2, Moritz Strickler1, Susanna Frigerio3

  • 1Klinik für Akutgeriatrie, Kantonsspital Olten, Olten.

Praxis
|December 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This case study highlights semantic dementia, a rare neurodegenerative condition. Early word-finding difficulties and memory issues, initially mistaken for depression, were key diagnostic clues.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • A 51-year-old patient presented with progressive word-finding difficulties.
  • Initial symptoms were attributed to co-existing depression, showing temporary improvement with treatment.
  • Subtle abnormalities in naming and verbal memory were noted on the CERAD test battery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a challenging case of semantic dementia diagnosis.
  • To illustrate the diagnostic process for semantic dementia.
  • To differentiate semantic dementia from depression-induced cognitive impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical presentation and patient history.
  • Neuropsychological testing (CERAD battery).
  • Magnetic Resonance (MR) tomography and Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET).

Main Results:

  • MR tomography revealed right hippocampal hypotrophy.
  • FDG-PET and handedness assessment were crucial for diagnosis.
  • The patient was ultimately diagnosed with semantic dementia.

Conclusions:

  • Semantic dementia can present insidiously with symptoms mimicking depression.
  • A combination of advanced neuroimaging and detailed neuropsychological assessment is vital for accurate diagnosis.
  • Early and accurate diagnosis of semantic dementia is critical for patient management.
Abstract

Keywords:
depressionfrontotemporal degeneration diseasesemantic dementia

More Related Videos

An Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Ageing on Sentence Processing04:30

An Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Ageing on Sentence Processing

Published on: October 25, 2019

6.0K
Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease11:01

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

Published on: August 30, 2011

14.0K

Related Concept Videos

Learning Disabilities01:25

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
549
Dementia01:30

Dementia

Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual....
486
Cognitive Development During Adulthood01:30

Cognitive Development During Adulthood

Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
745
Prosopagnosia01:24

Prosopagnosia

Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness, is the inability to recognize faces. In severe cases, individuals with prosopagnosia may not recognize close family members, including parents and spouses, by their faces. For instance, someone with prosopagnosia might walk past their child in a crowd, only realizing their mistake upon noticing their child's distinctive backpack or favorite jacket. Prosopagnosia specifically impairs facial recognition, while the recognition of other objects or...
666
Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon01:10

Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon

The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon is a cognitive experience characterized by a temporary inability to retrieve specific information from memory despite having a strong feeling of knowing the information. Although individuals cannot access the target word or detail, they frequently recall related elements, such as its initial letter, syllable count, or context. This partial retrieval often causes frustration, as one might recognize a familiar face or know that a name starts with a specific...
461
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
209