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Posterior Cortical Atrophy

All articles tagged with #posterior cortical atrophy

health1 year ago

Driving Behavior May Signal Early Dementia Warning

Scientists warn of a lesser-known dementia symptom, posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), which affects spatial judgment and can manifest while driving, posing safety risks. Found in 10% of Alzheimer's patients, PCA leads to difficulties in differentiating moving from stationary objects, despite normal eyesight. The study by UC San Francisco highlights the need for better diagnostic tools and awareness, as PCA often goes misdiagnosed, with symptoms appearing earlier than typical Alzheimer's signs. Researchers emphasize understanding PCA's impact on visual areas of the brain and its higher prevalence in women.

health1 year ago

"Eye Changes as Early Indicator of Alzheimer's and Dementia, Scientists Find"

A study led by UCSF has linked posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) to Alzheimer’s disease, highlighting the unique challenges faced by PCA patients and stressing the importance of early detection and potential treatment options. The research, involving over 1,000 patients globally, underscores the need for increased awareness and diagnostic precision to improve patient care and advance Alzheimer’s research. The study found that 94% of PCA patients had Alzheimer’s pathology, emphasizing the need for better tools and training to identify these patients early on and get them treatment. Early identification of PCA may have important implications for Alzheimer’s treatment, as patients with PCA may be candidates for anti-amyloid and anti-tau therapies.

health2 years ago

"Link Between Vision Changes and Early Alzheimer's Detection"

A new study suggests that about 94% of people with a rare vision condition called posterior cortical atrophy also have Alzheimer’s disease pathology. This finding highlights the potential link between unusual vision problems and the onset of Alzheimer's. Researchers emphasize the need for greater clinical awareness of this condition to facilitate earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as access to appropriate treatments and care planning.

health-alzheimers-disease2 years ago

"Early Detection of Alzheimer's Through Visual Symptoms"

A new study suggests that changes in visual perception abilities, especially in women, may be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease, even before cognitive abilities show signs of decline. Individuals with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a condition involving shrunken brain tissue affecting visual interpretation, often experience problems with depth perception and reading. While PCA is almost always caused by Alzheimer's, it is often misattributed to aging eyesight, delaying diagnosis. Early detection is crucial for managing symptoms and potentially slowing progression through lifestyle changes and anti-amyloid medications.

health2 years ago

"Unusual Vision Symptoms as Early Indicators of Alzheimer's Disease"

A new study has found that strange visual disturbances, known as posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), occur early in about 10% of Alzheimer's cases and almost always signal the impending arrival of the disease. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) analyzed data on over 1,000 patients and found that 94% of those experiencing PCA went on to develop Alzheimer's disease, while the remaining 6% developed other dementias. The study suggests that PCA could serve as an early indicator for Alzheimer's and may point to patients who could benefit from newly approved Alzheimer's medications targeting tau protein.

health2 years ago

"Unusual Visual Symptoms as Early Indicators of Alzheimer's"

A study on posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) reveals that it is a key early indicator of Alzheimer’s, with 94% of cases progressing to the disease. Unlike typical Alzheimer’s patients, those with PCA struggle with visuospatial tasks despite normal cognition initially, and symptoms include difficulty judging distances and constructional dyspraxia. The study emphasizes the importance of early detection and suggests that PCA patients might benefit from emerging Alzheimer’s treatments, such as anti-amyloid and anti-tau therapies. The average age of symptom onset for PCA is 59, several years younger than that of typical Alzheimer’s, making early diagnosis challenging.

health2 years ago

"Vision Problems as an Early Warning Sign for Alzheimer's"

A new study published in Lancet Neurology reveals that a lesser-known variant of Alzheimer’s disease, called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), often begins with vision problems rather than memory issues. The study found that PCA patients are typically diagnosed about four years after the onset of symptoms, and the condition may account for as many as 10 percent of all Alzheimer’s cases. Greater awareness of PCA could lead to earlier diagnosis and inclusion of these patients in clinical trials, potentially improving treatment options for this less common variant of Alzheimer's.

health2 years ago

"Bizarre Visual Symptoms: A Predictive Sign of Alzheimer's?"

A study led by UC San Francisco has found that posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a set of visuospatial symptoms, can be a telltale sign of Alzheimer's disease, occurring in up to 10% of cases. Unlike memory issues, PCA patients struggle with visual perception and spatial tasks, often leading to a delayed diagnosis. Early identification of PCA may be crucial for Alzheimer's treatment, as patients may benefit from anti-amyloid and anti-tau therapies in the earliest phases of the disease. The study emphasizes the need for better tools and training to identify PCA patients early on and provide them with appropriate treatment.