Can visuospatial measures improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease?

Abstract

Introduction Overlapping and evolving symptoms lead to ambiguity in the diagnosis of dementia. Visuospatial function relies on parietal lobe function, which may be affected in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review evaluates visuospatial dysfunction in patients with AD, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and vascular dementia to determine the diagnostic and prognostic potential of visuospatial tasks in AD. Methods A systematic search of studies (1960–2016) investigating visuospatial dysfunction in dementia was conducted. Results Tests measuring construction, specifically Block Design and Clock Drawing Test, and visual memory, specifically Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure recall and topographical tasks, show the greatest diagnostic potential in dementia. The Benton visual retention, Doors and People, and topographical memory tests show potential as prognostic markers. Discussion Tests of visuospatial function demonstrate significant diagnostic and prognostic potential in dementia. Further studies with larger samples of pathologically confirmed cases are required to verify clinical utility.

Alzheimer’s Disease or Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia? Review of Key Points Toward an Accurate Clinical and Neuropsychological Diagnosis

“…In contrast, visuospatial abilities appear to be relatively preserved in the early stages of bvFTD, likely explained by the relative sparing of posterior brain structures by the disease [79,82,83]. Consequently, tests of visuospatial abilities may prove to be more accurate in differentiating AD and bvFTD than other cognitive tests [79].…”

“…Broadly defined, the visuospatial function is the ability to specify the parts and overall configuration of a percept, appreciate its position in space, integrate a coherent spatial framework, and perform mental operations on spatial concepts [79]. Visuospatial dysfunction is among the earliest manifestations of AD, eventually affecting 20%−43% of patients [80], where the main changes occur in medial and lateral parietal lobe structure [79,81]. In contrast, visuospatial abilities appear to be relatively preserved in the early stages of bvFTD, likely explained by the relative sparing of posterior brain structures by the disease [79,82,83].…”

“…Visuospatial dysfunction is among the earliest manifestations of AD, eventually affecting 20%−43% of patients [80], where the main changes occur in medial and lateral parietal lobe structure [79,81]. In contrast, visuospatial abilities appear to be relatively preserved in the early stages of bvFTD, likely explained by the relative sparing of posterior brain structures by the disease [79,82,83]. Consequently, tests of visuospatial abilities may prove to be more accurate in differentiating AD and bvFTD than other cognitive tests [79].…”

“…The visuospatial function is commonly conceptualized in three components: visual perception, construction, and visual memory. To assess visual perception, the Visual Object and Space Perception Battery (VOSP) [84] may provide a great opportunity to evaluate this domain, independent of language and motor function [79]; however, it is time consuming and its performance requires intact attention, which is often compromised in AD [79]. Although evidence is limited, the "cube analysis" subtest may be helpful in discriminating AD from bvFTD, especially when the disease severity is controlled [85,86].…”

Classifying Mild Cognitive Impairment from Behavioral Responses in Emotional Arousal and Valence Evaluation Task – AI Approach for Early Dementia Biomarker in Aging Societies –

“…MCI characterizes also emotional contagion [15] and parietal cortex as well as hippocampus atrophy related spatial memory problems [1], [16]. A visuospatial memory focusing biomarkers has been recently proposed as potentially beneficial research targets [17]. Unlike longterm memory or a language, visuospatial functioning is heavily dependent on parietal lobe integrity, where atrophy in function or structure occurs early in dementia [17].…”