Diagnostic evaluation and monitoring of patients with posterior cortical atrophy

Abstract

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a progressive neurocognitive syndrome, most commonly associated with the loss of complex visuospatial functions. Diagnosis is challenging, and international consensus classification and nomenclature for PCA subtypes have only recently been reached. Presently, no established treatments exist. Efforts to develop treatments are hampered by the lack of standardized methods to monitor illness progression. Although measures developed from work with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias provide a foundation for diagnosing and monitoring progression, PCA presents unique challenges for clinicians counseling patients and families on clinical status and prognosis, and experts designing clinical trials of interventions. Here, we review issues facing PCA clinical research and care, summarize our approach to diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression, and outline ideas for developing tools for these purposes.