Cognitive rehabilitation in a patient with posterior cortical atrophy.
TL;DR
Cognitive rehabilitation may provide short-term benefits for individuals with PCA, particularly in enhancing visuospatial and attentional skills, particularly in enhancing visuospatial and attentional skills.
Abstract
Objective
Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome primarily affecting visuospatial processing while sparing memory, language, and insight. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a structured cognitive rehabilitation program on executive, attentional, and visuospatial functions in a patient with PCA.
Method
A 64-year-old male diagnosed with PCA underwent a 16-week cognitive rehabilitation program focused on visuospatial scanning, attention, and executive functions. Neuropsychological assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), immediately postintervention (T1), and at a 1-year follow-up (T2). Standardized measures were used to evaluate visuospatial abilities, attention, fluency, and learning, with performance changes analyzed across the three time points.
Results
At the end of rehabilitation, the patient demonstrated short-term improvements from baseline in visuospatial scanning, attention, verbal fluency, and learning. At the 1-year follow-up, cognitive gains were primarily maintained in auditory attention and learning/encoding tasks. Working memory and delayed recall remained stable over time, without significant gains. Notably, the patient reported subjective improvements in daily functioning and confidence in performing instrumental activities of daily living.
Conclusions
Cognitive rehabilitation may provide short-term benefits for individuals with PCA, particularly in enhancing visuospatial and attentional skills. The results emphasize the importance of ongoing, multidisciplinary, and adaptive interventions to sustain cognitive functioning and quality of life in PCA patients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).