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DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1038210
Semantische Demenz
Ein kasuistischer Beitrag zur Differenzialdiagnostik der degenerativen DemenzenSemantic DementiaA Case Report in the Context of an Independent Medical ExaminationPublication History
Publication Date:
01 August 2008 (online)

Zusammenfassung
Die Semantische Demenz (SD) ist eine relativ seltene, oft vor dem 65. Lebensjahr auftretende primär degenerative Erkrankung, die der Gruppe der „Frontotemporalen lobären Degenerationen” (FTLD) zugeordnet wird. Wesentliches Merkmal der SD ist eine Störung des semantischen Wissens, welche sich u. a. in Form von Beeinträchtigungen der Sprachfunktionen sowie der Gesichter- und Objekterkennung manifestiert. Die differenzialdiagnostische Abgrenzung der SD von anderen degenerativen Erkrankungen, insbesondere der Alzheimer-Demenz, stellt eine Herausforderung an den neurologischen und neuropsychologischen Diagnostiker dar. Eine genaue Kenntnis des Krankheitsbildes ist notwendig, um Fehldiagnosen zu vermeiden. Dies soll anhand des Falles eines 55-jährigen Probanden dargestellt werden, der im Rahmen eines Rentengutachtens mit dem Verdacht auf Vorliegen einer „Pick-Demenz” vorgestellt und neurologisch, neuropsychologisch und logopädisch untersucht wurde. Die klinische Manifestation und die ausführliche Testuntersuchung liefern ein Bild, das zweifelsfrei einer SD zuzuordnen ist. Bildgebend und neuropsychologisch weisen die Befunde auf eine rechtstemporale Betonung hin. Gleichzeitig wird anhand dieses Falls eine Reihe von Problemen, die mit der Demenzdiagnostik verknüpft sind, deutlich. Bei einer differenzialdiagnostischen Abklärung demenzieller Syndrome sollte einer qualifizierten neuropsychologischen Diagnostik ein hoher Stellenwert eingeräumt werden.
Abstract
Semantic dementia (SD) is a relatively rare primary degenerative brain disease, often with onset before the age of 65, which belongs to the group of frontotemporal lobar degenerations. The central characteristic of SD is a progressive loss of semantic knowledge with manifestation in aphasia as well as impaired face and object recognition. A reliable discrimination of SD from other neurodegenerative conditions, in particular from Alzheimer's disease, may be a challenge for neurologists as well as neuropsychologists. In the first place, a sound knowledge base is expected from the expert in order to minimize false diagnoses. To illustrate this, a detailed case history of a 55-year old patient is presented who was referred for an independent medical and neuropsychological examination for disability benefits. The referral question was Pick's disease. However, the clinical manifestation as well as the results of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation clearly indicated the diagnosis of SD with neuroimaging and neuropsychological evidence of marked right temporal lobe atrophy. The case history highlights a number of problems inherent in current practice of dementia assessment. For differential diagnosis of dementing conditions, a thorough neuropsychological assessment appears to be indispensable.
Schlüsselwörter
Semantische Demenz - Demenz - Aphasie - neuropsychologische Diagnostik - frontotemporale Lobärdegeneration
Key words
semantic dementia - dementia - aphasia - neuropsychological assessment - frontotemporal lobar degeneration
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