A-85: Neuropsychological Features of Suspected Primary Age-related Tauopathy: A Case Study

Abstract

Objective: Objective: Primary age-related tauopathy (PART) is a neuropathologic condition characterized by little to no amyloid plaques but positive medial temporal neurofibrillary degeneration (A-;T+). Approximately 20-25% of autopsy subjects over 85 years old met this criterion (Bell et al., 2019). PART is associated with heterogeneous clinical presentations, usually with less severe deficits than documented in Alzheimer’s disease and slow progression. We present a case presentation consistent with PART Method/Data Selection: Method: A retrospective review of the medical record and neuropsychological report of a 65-year-old male referred by his neurologist due to memory concerns. Results/Data Synthesis: Results: Patient reported 2-year history of cognitive decline in the context of a history of essential hand tremor, neurovascular risk factors and childhood mild TBI. Amyloid PET scan was negative. P-tau 217 was elevated. Assessment revealed average to above average cognition with variable motor-based processing speed performances. Elevated anxiety and mild depression were reported. Conclusions: Conclusion: The present case reflects a common neuropsychological presentation consistent with literature suggesting that PART is often associated with minimal or no cognitive impairment, and when present, less severe deficits and slower progression than those observed in AD. Neuropsychologist should be aware of this neuropathological condition for research and clinical purposes. Given the aging population, almost 4 million people in the United States are estimated to develop PART and if half develop cognitive impairment, PART will be societally impactful even with its slower clinical course (Bell et al 2019). As Bell and colleagues note, more research is warranted into tau related degeneration.