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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2009 Jun-Jul;24(3):220–227. doi: 10.1177/1533317509332626

Frontal-executive Versus Posterior-perceptual Mental Status Deficits in Early-onset Dementias

Mario F Mendez 1, Aaron M McMurtray 2, Eliot A Licht 3, Ronald E Saul 4
PMCID: PMC10846022  PMID: 19329784

Abstract

Background: Compared to late-onset dementias, early-onset dementias (EODs) may have greater focal cognitive involvement with differences in frontal-executive compared to posterior-perceptual deficits. Objective: This study evaluated whether mental status screening based on this frontal-posterior axis can distinguish EODs. Methods: Twenty-three patients each with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (eAD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), or subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD), and 20 normal controls underwent the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and the Perceptual Assessment Battery (PAB). Results: Compared to controls, SIVD and FTD groups were impaired on the FAB whereas eAD and SIVD groups were impaired on the PAB. The FAB/PAB ratio further differentiated the groups (F(3,85) = 26.49, P < .001). For sensitivities and specificities of 93%, a cut-off score of 1.25 on the FAB/PAB distinguished eAD, and a cut-off of 0.83 distinguishing FTD. Conclusion: Although preliminary, this study indicates that mental status screening based on frontal versus posterior cortical functions may help clinicians diagnose EODs.

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, frontal-executive functions, perceptual disturbances

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Contributor Information

Mario F. Mendez, Department of Neurology, Neurobehavior Unit, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, mmendez@ucla.edu, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, California.

Aaron M. McMurtray, Department of Neurology, Neurobehavior Unit, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, California.

Eliot A. Licht, Department of Neurology, Neurobehavior Unit, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Ronald E. Saul, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles, California.

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