Successful Treatment of Posterior Cortical Atrophy: Case Report

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Posterior cortical atrophy, also referred to as Benson’s syndrome, is a presentation of Alzheimer’s disease that occurs in 5-15% of Alzheimer’s patients. Visual processing is the predominant affected modality in posterior cortical atrophy, and symptoms such as prosopagnosia, simultanagnosia, alexia, optic ataxia, and visual hallucinations may occur, as well as blurred vision and visual distortions. Posterior cortical atrophy is considered to be a disease without known cause or effective treatment. Methods: We report here a patient with posterior cortical atrophy who responded to a personalized, precision medicine protocol. Results: The patient had improved MRI volumetrics, symptoms, and cognitive testing. She regained the ability to read, use her computer, and undertake computer-based brain training, among other cognitive improvements. She has now sustained her improvement for over one year, and continues to regain her independence and confidence. Conclusions: These results argue for additional laboratory testing in the evaluation of patients with posterior cortical atrophy, and support the possibility of utilizing a similar approach in a proof-of-concept trial.

Symptom Clusters