Neuropsychological Correlates of Parietal Atrophy in Logopenic Progressive Aphasia (P02.029)

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between parietal lobe atrophy and visuospatial/visuoconstructional ability in logopenic progressive aphasia (LPA). Background LPA is characterized by impaired single-word retrieval and repetition of sentences and phrases. It is associated with left posterior perisylvian or parietal atrophy and hypoperfusion or hypometabolism in these same regions on SPECT or PET. Despite known parietal lobe involvement, no studies to date have examined visuospatial functioning in this population. Design/Methods: Fifteen subjects ranging in age from 49 to 83, recruited as part of a larger study of speech and language disorders, received a consensus diagnosis of LPA by two Speech and Language Pathologists. Participants completed the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (Rey-O, copy trial only) and cube analysis subtest of the Visual Object and Space Perception battery (VOSP). Subjects underwent scanning at 3T. We used SPM5 to examine the association between Rey-O and VOSP performances and gray matter volume. Results: Lower Rey-O performances were associated with reduced gray matter volume in medial and lateral parietal and occipital regions, left > right (p right), and scattered areas of the temporal and posterior frontal lobes bilaterally (p Conclusions: Cognitive impairment affecting visuospatial function has not been emphasized in LPA. We found that subjects with LPA experience impairment in visuospatial and visuoconstructional abilities that is associated with gray matter loss in posterior brain regions, left greater than right. The stronger findings with the Rey-O may reflect the greater demands that this task places on higher-order visuospatial planning and organization. Supported by: NIH/NIDCD R01-DC010367-02. Disclosure: Dr. Machulda has nothing to disclose. Dr. Whitwell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dean has nothing to disclose. Dr. Micklewright has nothing to disclose. Dr. Duffy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Strand has nothing to disclose. Dr. Josephs has nothing to disclose.