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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Aphasia | Research

Utility of visual rating scales in primary progressive aphasia

Authors: Neus Falgàs, Luca Sacchi, Tiziana Carandini, Nuria Montagut, Giorgio Conte, Fabio Triulzi, Daniela Galimberti, Andrea Arighi, Raquel Sanchez-Valle, Giorgio Giulio Fumagalli

Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Introduction

Differential diagnosis among subjects with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) can be challenging. Structural MRI can support the clinical profile. Visual rating scales are a simple and reliable tool to assess brain atrophy in the clinical setting.

The aims of the study were to establish to what extent the visual rating scales could be useful in the differential diagnosis of PPA, to compare the clinical diagnostic impressions derived from routine MRI interpretations with those obtained using the visual rating scale and to correlate results of the scales in a voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis.

Method

Patients diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) according to current criteria from two centers—Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico of Milan and Hospital Clínic de Barcelona—were included in the study. Two blinded clinicians evaluated the subjects MRIs for cortical atrophy and white matter hyperintensities using two protocols: routine readings and the visual rating scale. The diagnostic accuracy between patients and controls and within PPA subgroups were compared between the two protocols.

Results

One hundred fifty Subjects were studied. All the scales showed a good to excellent intra and inter-rater agreement. The left anterior temporal scale could differentiate between semantic PPA and all other variants.

The rater impression after the protocol can increase the accuracy just for the logopenic PPA. In the VBM analysis, the scores of visual rating scales correlate with the corresponding area of brain atrophy.

Conclusion

The Left anterior temporal rating scale can distinguish semantic PPA from other variants. The rater impression after structured view improved the diagnostic accuracy of logopenic PPA compared to normal readings. The unstructured view of the MRI was reliable for identifying semantic PPA and controls. Neither the structured nor the unstructured view could identify the nonfluent and undetermined variants.

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Title: Utility of visual rating scales in primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Neus Falgàs
Luca Sacchi
Tiziana Carandini
Nuria Montagut
Giorgio Conte
Fabio Triulzi
Daniela Galimberti
Andrea Arighi
Raquel Sanchez-Valle
Giorgio Giulio Fumagalli
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Aphasia
Dementia
Dementia
Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1758-9193
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-024-01442-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Utility of visual rating scales in primary progressive aphasia

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Method

Results

Conclusion

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