| Official Study Title |
Attention and Executive Functioning in Frontotemporal Dementia |
| Conditions Studied |
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
Alzheimer's disease (AD)
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Semantic Dementia (SD)
Healthy Adults (NC or "Normal Control")
|
| Purpose |
To determine differences in and underlying brain regions
responsible for attention. |
| Inclusion Criteria |
Subjects must be between the ages of 45-95, have a neurodegenerative
disorder or be a healthy, age-matched normal control, have an MMSE of 20 or greater, and GDS
less than 20. |
| Exclusion Criteria |
Previous history of Korsakoff ecephalopathy, alcohol abuse or
dependence within 5 years of onset of dementia, substance abuse, head trauma with loss of
consciousness greater than 30 minutes, brain tumor, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, hydrocephalus,
schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, intracerebral hemorrhage, current history of
pacemaker, ferromagnetic material in soft tissue, B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism (TSH>150%
of normal), known HIV, renal failure, respiratory failure requiring oxygen, history of major
depression within the past 2 years, Geriatric Depression Scale score greater than 20, anxiety
disorder due to other than dementia and requiring medication more than 3x per week, cerebral
infarct, large confluent white matter lesions or grade 4 white matter lesions as described by
Schletens et al., significant systematic medical illnesses such as deteriorating cardiovascular
disease, clinically relevant EKG changes, current medication likely to affect CNS functions. |
| Testing |
Computer-based tests measuring attention and reaction time, total
time approximately 1 hour. |
| Materials Needed Prior to Evaluation |
Not applicable. Participants are enrolled through another study. |
