Posterior cortical atrophy: an atypical variant of Alzheimer disease

Abstract

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by striking progressive visual impairment and a pattern of atrophy mainly involving posterior cortices. PCA is the most frequent atypical presentation of Alzheimer disease. The purpose of this article is to provide a summary of PCA's neuropsychiatric manifestations. Emotional and psychotic symptoms are discussed in the context of signal characteristic features of the PCA syndrome (the early onset, focal loss of visual perception, focal posterior brain atrophy) and the underlying cause of the disease. The authors' experience with psychotherapeutic intervention and PCA support groups is shared in detail.

Keywords: Apathy; Depression; Neuropsychiatry manifestations (NPM); PCA; Peer support; Posterior atrophy; Visual impairment; Young-onset dementia.