Descriptive Psychopathology: The Signs and Symptoms of ...

331 Chapter 13: Testing and psychopathology of cognitive dysfunction21 Amieva et al. (2004).22 See Lezak et al. (2004) for discussions of these and other cognitive tests.23 The digit symbol substitution test from the WAIS is another test sensitive to early cognitivedecline. It requires the patient to draw a symbol from an array that corresponds to anumber in the box below each number. The test is timed and very sensitive to problemswith new learning. It is usually administered as part of a broader neuropsychological testbattery.24 Lepore et al. (2004).25 Mesulam (2000).26 McKhann et al. (2001); Lopez-Pousa et al. (2002); Burn (2006).27 Graff-Radford et al. (1995).28 Strokes in the angular gyrus of the dominant parietal lobe are associated with some aphasicspeech, problems with reading and writing, poor understanding of complex sentences andconstructional problems that can elicit the misdiagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Patientswith the angular gyrus syndrome have better memory functioning, and visual–spatialfunction is better preserved than in Alzheimer’s disease (Cummings, 1985a, p. 29; Leporeet al., 2004).29 Critchley ( 1953); Luria (1973, chapter 5); Kirshner and Lav in ( 2006).30 Right/left disorientation when associated with dyscalculia (poor calculation ability), dysgraphia(poor construction of writing), and finger agnosia (being unable to identify one’sfingers when interlaced) form the Gertsmann’s syndrome that has been linked to lesions inthe angular gyrus of the left parietal lobe (Roeltgen et al., 1983).31 Libon et al. (2001); Graham et al. (2004). While many studies report distinguishingcognitive problems between patients with Alzheimer’s disease and those with subcorticaldementias, some do not (Arango-Lasprilla et al., 2006).32 The Wechsler Memory scale batteries are the most commonly used formal memory tests.The batteries include verbal and non-verbal measures of spontaneous recall of newlylearned material and the ability to recognize previously presented material. Other testsused include the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Benton’s Visual Retention test and theCalifornia Verbal Learning Test (see Lezak et al., 2004).33 Lezak et al. (2004).34 Miyashita (2004).35 Semantic memory is subserved by the hippocampus, parahippocampus, entorhinal cortex andperirhinal cortex (Miyashita, 2004).36 Rizzo et al. (2002); Snowden et al. (2004).37 Feinstein et al. (2002); Drake et al. (2006).38 Squire and Zola (1997).39 Abrams (2002).40 Prevey et al. (1988).41 Surguladze et al. (2005).42 Ibid.43 Meyer et al. (1996); Loeb and Meyer (1996).