The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

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ArticleTitle	Awareness of Alzheimer's disease and Cortical Midline Structures
Language	J
AuthorList	Haruo Hanyu
Affiliation	Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tokyo Medical University
Publication	Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 26 (1), 59-64, 2010
Received
Accepted
Abstract	The aim of this study was to investigate neuroanatomical substrates of unawareness of memory deficits in patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD). We compared regional perfusion deficits between AD patients with awareness (n=19) and unawareness (n=19). SPECT data were analyzed by statistical brain imaging method. Statistical maps demonstrated a more extensive and severe reduction in perfusion in the unaware group than in the aware group. Quantitative analysis demonstrated a significant difference between the groups in the right subcallosal, anterior cingulate, and posterior cingulate gyri and left orbital, subcallosal, and anterior cingulate gyri. Our results suggests that functional damage to the inferior, medial and orbital frontal lobe as well as the cingulate gyri, including cortical midline structures, may be associated with the lack of awareness in patients with early AD.
Keywords	Alzheimer's disease, awareness, cerebral perfusion, SPECT, cortical midline structure