Visual Disturbances Identified as Early Alzheimer's Symptom

Large-scale study finds Posterior Cortical Atrophy, characterized by visual disturbances, in up to 10% of Alzheimer's cases, potentially enabling earlier and more effective treatment.

• Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a condition characterized by visual disturbances, is found to be an early symptom in up to 10% of Alzheimer's cases.
• 94% of patients with PCA were found to have Alzheimer's pathology, compared to 70% of patients with memory loss.
• PCA symptoms include difficulty in judging distances, distinguishing between moving and stationary objects, and completing tasks like writing and retrieving dropped items, despite normal eye exam results.
• PCA often emerges at a relatively young age, with an average onset at 59, several years younger than typical Alzheimer's.
• Early identification of PCA could have implications for Alzheimer's treatment, potentially making patients eligible for anti-amyloid and anti-tau therapies.

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