Browsing by Author "Martella, D."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Diagnóstico neuropsicológico diferencial en enfermedad de Alzheimer y demencia frontotemporal: una revisión sistemática cualitativa
    (2021) Toloza Ramírez, David Isaias; Méndez Orellana, C.; Martella, D.
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) has classically been considered to present typical cognitive symptoms and neuroanatomical changes. However, the neurobiological basis of some clinical phenotypes of AD is similar to that of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Therefore, the heterogeneity of these diseases leads to uncertain evaluation and diagnosis processes, due to limited understanding of the associated neurocognitive symptoms. This systematic review aims to describe neuropsychological characteristics and similarities in patients with AD and FTD, and to identify critical points for their differential diagnosis. Methods: The present study followed the PRISMA guidelines and included studies from the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, published between 2005 and 2020. Results: The search returned a total of 41 articles eligible for critical analysis. The available evidence points to key differences in such cognitive domains as language (eg, verbal fluency), memory, social cognition, executive functioning, and behaviour; these should be considered in all neuropsychological assessments and diagnostic processes. Conclusion: Such language domains as verbal fluency (semantic and phonemic) and semantic/grammar alterations seem to be useful markers for differential diagnosis between AD and FTD.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Neuropsychological profiles and neural correlates in typical and atypical variants of Alzheimer disease: A systematic qualitative review
    (2022) Fredes-Roa, C.; Gutiérrez-Barría, F.; Ramírez-Bruna, C.; Cigarroa, Igor; Martella, D.; Julio Ramos, Teresa Paz; Méndez Orellana, Carolina Patricia; Toloza Ramírez, David Isaias
    Introduction: Neuropsychological symptoms and cortical atrophy patterns show similarities between typical Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and its variants. Thus, correct diagnosis is difficult, leading to errors in the therapeutic process. Indeed, the challenge in cognitive neuroscience focuses on identifying key features of cognitive-linguistic profiles and improving the knowledge of neural correlates for accurate differential diagnosis between the heterogeneous profiles of typical and atypical AD. Aim: This systematic review aims to describe different AD profiles, considering their neuropsychological symptoms and neural correlates. Methods: The present study followed the PRISMA guidelines and included studies from the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, published between 2011 and 2021. Results: Thirty-one articles were included in this systematic review for critical analysis. Results suggest significant declines in episodic and working memory and executive function. Likewise, in all groups, verbal fluency and visuospatial/visuoconstructive skills declined. However, these symptoms overlap between typical AD, logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia, posterior cortical atrophy, behavioural/dysexecutive or frontal variant AD, and corticobasal syndrome. On the other hand, the neural correlate showed a pattern of atrophy in frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital areas, even compromising the cuneus and precuneus. Conclusion: Spontaneous language and semantic and phonological verbal fluency could be an important biomarker for differential diagnosis between typical AD and its atypical variants. Likewise, clinical assessment should consider using advanced neuroimaging techniques to establish early associations between brain dysfunction and neuropsychological performance, with particular attention to brain areas such as the cuneus and precuneus.