Posterior cortical atrophy: a case study of Benson's syndrome that initially presented as anxiety disorder

Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2012;19(3):229-36. doi: 10.1080/09084282.2012.686791. Epub 2012 May 31.

Abstract

The postmortem pathology of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are often identical. In contrast to AD, PCA is clinically different in that visuoperceptual skills are severely impaired, yet memory is relatively intact. In addition, patients with PCA often report depression with preserved insight. The present case study is a 56-year-old female who initially presented with anxiety and panic-like symptoms. The neuropsychological evaluation and imaging studies were consistent with PCA. This case study is relatively unique in that symptom onset presented as an anxiety disorder, yet formal evaluation revealed severe visuospatial impairment with minimal insight into the severity of cognitive impairment. Anxiety was alleviated following cessation of employment. This case highlights the importance of differential diagnostic consideration of affective and mood disorders and early forms of dementia.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology*
  • Atrophy
  • Attention / physiology
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis
  • Brain Diseases / pathology
  • Brain Diseases / psychology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology*
  • Executive Function / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Learning / physiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Skills
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Occipital Lobe / pathology
  • Panic Disorder / complications
  • Panic Disorder / psychology
  • Parietal Lobe / pathology
  • Space Perception / physiology