Neuropsychological Profiles and Clinical Characteristics of Lewy Body and
Alzheimer's Pathology on Autopsy 
   Lead Investigator:    Austin Simpson
   Institution      :    Pacific University School of Graduate Psychology
   E-Mail           :    ajsimpson@pacificu.edu
   Proposal ID      :    1273



   Proposal Description:
   There are currently no reliable neuropsychological indicators identifying the impact of Alzheimer's (e.g., amyloid, tau) and Lewy Body (i.e., alpha synuclein aggregates) pathologies in patients with dementia. Diagnostic accuracy in DLB is especially poor, often due to considerable symptomatic overlap and co-occurring pathology (up to 80) with AD. Further, very few studies have used comprehensive neuropsychological testing as method for differentiation. The aim of the current study is to investigate neuropsychological and clinical characteristics differentiate patients with varying levels of AD and LB neuropathologic change on autopsy. We predict more severe memory deficits mixed DLB/AD or pure AD group, compared to the pure DLD group. Neuropsychologically differentiating these overlapping yet distinct pathologies will be extremely important for future disease modifying agents targeting specific pathologies as well as improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy.