We compared entorhinal cortex atrophy (ERICA) score vs. medial temporal atrophy (MTA) score’s ability to predict conversion from amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that ERICA would show higher specificity. Data from 61 aMCI patients were analyzed. Positive ERICA was associated with AD conversion with a sensitivity of 56% (95% CI: 30–80%) and a specificity of 78% (63–89%) vs. 69% (41–89%) SE and 60% (44–74%) SP for the MTA. Results suggest that ERICA is superior to MTA in predicting conversion from aMCI to AD in a small sample of participants.

Background: The semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) is a form of dementia, mainly featuring language impairment, for which the extent of white matter (WM) damage is less described than its associated grey matter (GM) atrophy. Our study aimed to characterise the extent of this damage using a sensitive and unbiased approach. Methods: We conducted a between-group study comparing 10 patients with a clinical diagnosis of svPPA, recruited between 2011 and 2014 at a tertiary reference centre, with 9 cognitively healthy, age-matched controls. From diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data, we extracted fractional anisotropy (FA) values using a tract-based spatial statistics approach. We further obtained GM volumetric data using the Freesurfer automated segmentation tool. We compared both groups using non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, correcting for multiple comparisons. Results: Demographic data showed that patients and controls were comparable. As expected, clinical data showed lower results in svPPA than controls on cognitive screening tests. Tractography showed impaired diffusion in svPPA patients, with FA mostly decreased in the longitudinal, uncinate, cingulum and external capsule fasciculi. Volumetric data show significant atrophy in svPPA patients, mostly in the left entorhinal, amygdala, inferior temporal, middle temporal, superior temporal and temporal pole cortices, and bilateral fusiform gyri. Conclusions: This syndrome appears to be associated not only with GM but also significant WM degeneration. Thus, DTI could play a role in the differential diagnosis of atypical dementia by specifying WM damage specific to svPPA.

Primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAoS) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by speech apraxia at its onset; as it progresses, it often evolves into total mutism. Even though this syndrome is increasingly recognized, its early differential diagnostic is still complex. The objective of this study was to illustrate why a fine evaluation of speech and language is essential for the differential diagnosis of PPAoS. This longitudinal case study presents the progression of a PPAoS patient over a period of 5 years. Periodic neurological and speech-language assessments were carried out to follow the progression of neurological, memory, language and speech symptoms. The different diagnostic labels established over time were also reported. The evolution of the patient’s communication profile was characterized by a preservation of language components and episodic memory, in parallel with a progressive deterioration of speech which gradually reduced intelligibility, and was associated with signs of spasticity, resulting in a complete anarthria. This case study sheds light upon the evolution of a patient with PPAoS. A better understanding of the clinical profile and progression of PPAoS is necessary in order to improve early diagnosis and adequate care for these patients.

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of brain amyloid beta is now clinically available in several countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, but not Canada. It has become an established technique in the field of neuroimaging of aging and dementia, with data incorporated in the new consensus guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and predementia Alzheimer’s disease–related conditions. At this point, there are three US Food and Drug Administration– and European Union–approved tracers. Guided by appropriate use criteria developed in 2013 by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, the utility of amyloid imaging in medical practice is now supported by a growing body of research. In this paper, we aimed to provide an update on the 2012 Canadian consensus guidelines to dementia care practitioners on proper use of amyloid imaging. We also wished to generate momentum for the industry to submit a new drug proposal to Health Canada. A group of local, national, and international dementia experts and imaging specialists met to discuss scenarios in which amyloid PET could be used appropriately. Peer-reviewed and published literature between January 2004 and May 2015 was searched. Technical and regulatory considerations pertaining to Canada were considered. The results of a survey of current practices in Canadian dementia centers were considered. A set of specific clinical and research guidelines was agreed on that defines the types of patients and clinical circumstances in which amyloid PET could be used in Canada. Future research directions were also outlined, notably the importance of studies that would assess the pharmaco-economics of amyloid imaging.

A 57-year-old daycare educator presented as a drowsy but oriented individual with a history of sudden and severe headache associated with vomiting. She had no previous medical or neurological history. Examination showed no focal signs and routine laboratory studies were unremarkable. Head computed tomogram (CT) revealed a Fisher grade IV subarachnoid hemorrhage in the posterior fossa with extensive intraventricular hemorrhage (Graeb 8/12, see Figures 1A and 1B) which was shown to originate from a left Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (PICA) aneurysm on CT angiography and treated successfully with endovascular embolization. Five days later she deteriorated her level of consciousness (Glascow coma scale [GCS] 8/15). The CT scan showed moderate hydrocephalus and a ventricular drain was placed. She improved clinically but remained disoriented with slowed information processing skills.