June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and the piece below is the final of several this month to educate the public about these critical topics. BY ROBIANN BROOMFIELD ALZHEIMER’S disease is known for causing memory and cognitive decline in older adults. However, there is a lesser-known subtype called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) which affects people differently.
Here’s what you need to know about this atypical type of Alzheimer’s disease. What is PCA? PCA is a rare, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder. Unlike typical Alzheimer’s, which primarily affects memory, PCA impacts the back part of the brain, known as the posterior cortex.
This area is responsible for processing visual information and coordinating complex visual tasks. Key symptoms of PCA People with PCA often experience a variety of visual and spatial problems, rather than memory loss, in the early stages. These symptoms can include: *Difficulty reading — words may seem jumbled or distorted; *Trouble recognising faces and objects — familiar faces or common objects become hard to identify; *Issues with coordination — tasks that require hand-eye coordination, like writing or using utensils, become challenging; *Problems with spatial awareness — judging distances or navigating through space can be difficult.
How is PCA diagnosed? Diagnosing PCA can be tricky because its symptoms resemble those of other visual or neurological conditions. A thorough evaluation typically includes: * Neuroi.
