A 50-year-old man with deteriorating cognitive function and impaired movement
2009

A Case Study of a 50-Year-Old Man with Cognitive Decline

Sample size: 1 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Andrew J. Larner

Primary Institution: Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Conclusion

The patient was ultimately diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia with a tau gene mutation after initially being misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Supporting Evidence

  • The patient had a family history of Alzheimer's disease.
  • Initial cognitive tests showed some memory impairment but no general intellectual loss.
  • Follow-up assessments revealed a decline in cognitive function and new neurological symptoms.
  • Neurogenetic testing identified a tau gene mutation linked to frontotemporal dementia.

Takeaway

This study is about a man who had memory problems and was diagnosed with dementia. After some time, doctors found out he had a different type of dementia caused by a gene mutation.

Methodology

The case study involved clinical assessments, neuropsychological testing, and neurogenetic testing.

Limitations

The initial misdiagnosis may have been avoided with more detailed assessments and imaging.

Participant Demographics

The participant was a 50-year-old male with a family history of Alzheimer's disease.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pmed.1000019

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