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PC‐014: Rotigotine improves executive functions in patients with vascular dementia
Author(s) -
Silvestri Antonello,
Ragno Alessandro,
Martin Luis Severino,
Pierangeli Daniela,
Di Lorenzo Cherubino,
Tramutoli Roberto,
Celia Elisabetta,
Catucci Angelo Emanuele
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2013.05.219
Subject(s) - executive functions , neuropsychology , dementia , cognition , executive dysfunction , psychology , vascular dementia , parkinsonism , rotigotine , working memory , physical medicine and rehabilitation , audiology , medicine , psychiatry , parkinson's disease , disease
background activity but no interictal discharges suggestive of epilepsy. Neuropsychological evaluations with 2-year intervals showed progressivewordfinding difficulties, attentionand memory-deficits. He became nearly mute and apathetic and was unable to continue his work as a process-controller. The MRI was repeated 8-year after symptom-onset showing prominent atrophy of the left hemisphere (figure), consistent with the clinical diagnosis progressive non-fluent aphasia. Case-management was still lacking at referral to our memory clinic. The presence of epilepsy in the presented patient with PPA has led to a long-lasting delay in clinical diagnosis and adequate care. Patients with subtle speech difficulties usually seek medical attention on average 2-3 years after symptom-onset. Primary and secondary care physicians often do not recognise PPA-symptoms adding a further diagnostic delay. Complaints are often attributed to psychogenic factors (burnout, mood or anxiety) or to other comorbid conditions, which even led to a diagnostic delay of 8 years in our case. Conclusions: An atypical age-at-onset, slow disease progression, absence of cognitive or behavioural problems are all factors delaying referral to a memory clinic in PPA. Diagnostic delay is even more pronounced in the presence of comorbid conditions which may affect speech.