%0 Journal Article
%T Posterior cortical atrophy: A rare variant of Alzheimer¡¯s disease
%A Michael A. Meyer
%A Stephen A. Hudock
%J -
%D 2016
%R https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2018.7665
%X Posterior cortical atrophy is a rare condition first described in 1988 involving progressive degeneration and atrophy of the occipital cortex, often recognized after an unexplained homonymous hemianopsia may be discovered. We report a case in association with Alzheimer¡¯s disease in a 77-year-old female, who underwent brain single-photon emission computed tomography as well brain positron emission tomography using Florbetapir to further evaluate progressive cognitive decline. The patient had also been followed in Ophthalmology for glaucoma, where a progressive unexplained change in her visual field maps were noted over one year consistent with a progressive right homonymous hemianopsia. This rare combination of findings in association with her dementia led to a detailed review of all her imaging studies, concluding with the surprising recognition for a clear hemi-atrophy of the primary left occipital cortex was occurring, consistent with Alzheimer¡¯s disease affecting the primary visual cortex. Further awareness of this disease pattern is needed, as Alzheimer¡¯s disease typically does not affect the primary visual cortex; other conditions to consider in general include Lewy Body dementia, cortico-basal degeneration and prion disease.
%U https://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/ni/article/view/7665