Extrapyramidal symptoms in Frontotemporal Dementia: prevalence and clinical correlations

Neurosci Lett. 2007 Jul 5;422(1):39-42. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.05.049. Epub 2007 Jun 2.

Abstract

In the present study we aimed at evaluating the prevalence and the associated clinical, neuropsychological and behavioral features of extrapyramidal symptoms in Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) patients. Seventy-five patients fulfilling clinical criteria of FTD were consecutively enrolled. Each patient underwent clinical and extrapyramidal sign examination, and neuropsychological and behavioral disturbance evaluation. Each patient was submitted to both brain MRI and SPECT, documenting frontotemporal atrophy/hypoperfusion pattern. Parkinsonian symptoms in FTD were associated with a specific endophenotype characterized by higher incidence of psychotic symptoms, memory deficits and psychomotor speed ability abnormalities. Careful description of the spectrum of presentation of FTD may be of help for further understanding the underpinnings of the disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / epidemiology
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / etiology*
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Cysteine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dementia / complications*
  • Dementia / diagnostic imaging
  • Dementia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Organotechnetium Compounds
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • technetium Tc 99m bicisate
  • Cysteine