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The Benson Complex Figure Test detects deficits in visuoconstruction and visual memory in symptomatic familial frontotemporal dementia: A GENFI study

Jiskoot, Lize C; Russell, Lucy L; Peakman, Georgia; Convery, Rhian S; Greaves, Caroline V; Bocchetta, Martina; Poos, Jackie M; ... Rohrer, Jonathan D; + view all (2023) The Benson Complex Figure Test detects deficits in visuoconstruction and visual memory in symptomatic familial frontotemporal dementia: A GENFI study. Journal of the Neurological Sciences , 446 , Article 120590. 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120590. Green open access

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Sensitive cognitive markers are still needed for frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The Benson Complex Figure Test (BCFT) is an interesting candidate test, as it assesses visuospatial, visual memory, and executive abilities, allowing the detection of multiple mechanisms of cognitive impairment. To investigate differences in BCFT Copy, Recall and Recognition in presymptomatic and symptomatic FTD mutation carriers, and to explore its cognitive and neuroimaging correlates. METHOD: We included cross-sectional data from 332 presymptomatic and 136 symptomatic mutation carriers (GRN, MAPT or C9orf72 mutations), and 290 controls in the GENFI consortium. We examined gene-specific differences between mutation carriers (stratified by CDR® NACC-FTLD score) and controls using Quade's / Pearson Χ2 tests. We investigated associations with neuropsychological test scores and grey matter volume using partial correlations and multiple regression models respectively. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups at CDR® NACC-FTLD 0–0.5. Symptomatic GRN and C9orf72 mutation carriers had lower Copy scores at CDR® NACC-FTLD ≥2. All three groups had lower Recall scores at CDR® NACC-FTLD ≥2, with MAPT mutation carriers starting at CDR® NACC-FTLD ≥1. All three groups had lower Recognition scores at CDR® NACC FTLD ≥2. Performance correlated with tests for visuoconstruction, memory, and executive function. Copy scores correlated with frontal-subcortical grey matter atrophy, while Recall scores correlated with temporal lobe atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: In the symptomatic stage, the BCFT identifies differential mechanisms of cognitive impairment depending on the genetic mutation, corroborated by gene-specific cognitive and neuroimaging correlates. Our findings suggest that impaired performance on the BCFT occurs relatively late in the genetic FTD disease process. Therefore its potential as cognitive biomarker for upcoming clinical trials in presymptomatic to early-stage FTD is most likely limited.

Type: Article
Title: The Benson Complex Figure Test detects deficits in visuoconstruction and visual memory in symptomatic familial frontotemporal dementia: A GENFI study
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120590
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2023.120590
Language: English
Additional information: © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Under a Creative Commons license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Keywords: Frontotemporal dementia, Cognition, Neuropsychology, Genetic, Presymptomatic, Marker
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Neurodegenerative Diseases
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10165308
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