A groundbreaking study suggests that peculiar visual disturbances occurring in about 10% of Alzheimer’s cases may serve as an early indicator of the impending disease. Known as posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), this condition manifests as sudden difficulties in vision-related tasks, such as writing, judging object motion, or picking up items. Despite normal eye exams, everyday activities become challenging, highlighting the need for increased awareness and better clinical tools.
Co-lead author Marianne Chapleau, from the University of California, San Francisco, emphasizes the importance of flagging PCA for early identification and treatment. Analyzing data from over 1,000 patients across 16 countries, the study found PCA typically emerges at an average age of 59. Patients struggle with tasks like copying diagrams, gauging object locations, and perceiving multiple objects simultaneously, leading to deficits in memory, math, and reading skills.
In a groundbreaking revelation, the study shows that 94% of PCA cases progressed to Alzheimer’s disease, surpassing the predictive value of memory loss, which is associated with a 70% dementia risk. The remaining 6% developed alternative dementias.
Published in The Lancet Neurology journal, the findings indicate that patients experiencing PCA might benefit from newly approved Alzheimer’s medications targeting tau protein. Renaud La Joie, first author of the study, notes the potential effectiveness of anti-tau therapies for PCA patients.
Senior study author Dr. Gil Rabinovici underscores the critical need for doctors to recognize PCA, offering correct diagnoses, counseling, and care. He highlights the scientific curiosity surrounding Alzheimer’s specific targeting of visual brain areas, with future research focusing on understanding why women, constituting 60% of PCA patients, appear more susceptible.
The study’s insights may revolutionize early Alzheimer’s detection, guiding medical professionals towards proactive interventions and personalized care for those exhibiting unusual visual symptoms.
