Abstract
The early stages of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) are still not completely characterized. In a consecutive series of patients with probable bvFTD diagnosis confirmed by follow-up, we retrospectively evaluated the features at onset. Patients were reclassified according to presenting features and current diagnostic criteria into probable and possible bvFTD. The term "pre-bvFTD" was adopted for patients with cognitive and/or behavioral impairment not fulfilling bvFTD criteria and no deficits in activities of daily living. One hundred ninety-four subjects were included; at first visit, 70% (n = 136) patients were already classified as probable bvFTD. Of the remaining 30% (n = 58), 60% fulfilled criteria for possible bvFTD, while 40% did not, and were classified as pre-FTD. The neuropsychological pattern in possible bvFTD and pre-bvFTD was similar, although possible bvFTD showed more behavioral abnormalities. Pre-bvFTD subjects had frontotemporal gray matter atrophy, although less extensive than possible bvFTD. Conclusively, most bvFTD patients fulfill current diagnostic criteria at first admission, whereas a relatively small group is characterized by mild behavioral and/or cognitive abnormalities in spite of frontotemporal gray matter atrophy. Our preliminary findings will require a validation in prospective studies involving larger samples of patients.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 3108-3115 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Neurobiology of Aging |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 1 2015 |
Keywords
- Behavioral impairment
- Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD)
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
- MRI
- Pre-bvFTD
- Prodromal
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neuroscience(all)
- Ageing
- Developmental Biology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology