 |
 |

A Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomographic Study of Anosognosia in Alzheimer's Disease
Sergio E. Starkstein, MD, PhD;
Silvia Vázquez, MD;
Ricardo Migliorelli, MD;
Alejandra Tesón, PhD;
Liliana Sabe, PhD;
Ramón Leiguarda, MD
Arch Neurol. 1995;52(4):415-420.
Abstract
 |  |
Objective To examine the presence of specific regional cerebral blood flow correlates of anosognosia in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease.
Design Case series, group comparisons.
Setting Ambulatory care referral center.
Patients Twelve patients with probable Alzheimer's disease and anosognosia and 12 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease without anosognosia who were matched for age, duration of illness, and cognitive impairments.
Main Outcome Measures Single-photon emission computed tomographic scan studies with technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropylene-amine oxime and regional cerebral blood flow measurements. Patients with Alzheimer's disease and anosognosia showed significant blood flow deficits in the frontal inferior and superior (dorsal) areas of the right hemisphere. On the other hand, no significant between-group differences were found in depression scores and neuropsychological tasks that assessed verbal and visual memory, verbal comprehension, naming, verbal fluency, auditory attention, abstract reasoning, and set-shifting abilities.
Results
Conclusions Our study demonstrates that anosognosia may not be related to deficits in specific cognitive domains, but it may result from dysfunction of the right frontal lobe.
Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Behavioral Neurology (Drs Starkstein, Migliorelli, Tesón, Sabe, and Leiguarda) and Nuclear Medicine (Drs Starkstein and Vázquez), Raúl Carrea Institute of Neurological Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
 |
Unawareness of Illness in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Phenomenological Certainty versus Etiopathogenic Vagueness
Orfei et al.
Neuroscientist 2008;14:203-222.
ABSTRACT
Investigating poor insight in Alzheimer's disease: A survey of research approaches
Robertsson et al.
Dementia 2007;6:45-61.
ABSTRACT
Alzheimer's centennial legacy: origins, landmarks and the current status of knowledge concerning cognitive aspects.
Hodges
Brain 2006;129:2811-2822.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Symptoms Underlying Unawareness of Memory Impairment in Patients With Mild Alzheimer's Disease
Kazui et al.
J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2006;19:3-12.
ABSTRACT
Loss of Insight and Functional Neuroimaging in Frontotemporal Dementia
Mendez and Shapira
J. Neuropsychiatry Clin. Neurosi. 2005;17:413-416.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Right prosubiculum amyloid plaque density correlates with anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease
Marshall et al.
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 2004;75:1396-1400.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Neuropsychological Predictors of Everyday Memory and Everyday Functioning in Patients with Mild Alzheimer's Disease
Cahn-Weiner et al.
J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2003;16:84-89.
ABSTRACT
Fluctuating Awareness and the Breakdown of the Illness Narrative in Dementia
Phinney
Dementia 2002;1:329-344.
ABSTRACT
Olfactory Deficits in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment Predict Alzheimer's Disease at Follow-Up
Devanand et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2000;157:1399-1405.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Neuropsychological, psychiatric, and cerebral perfusion correlates of leukoaraiosis in Alzheimer's disease
Starkstein et al.
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 1997;63:66-73.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Neuropsychological, Psychiatric, and Cerebral Blood Flow Findings in Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
Starkstein et al.
Stroke 1996;27:408-414.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|