Affiliations: [a] Alzheimer Unit, AORN A. Cardarelli, Napoli, Italy | [b] Centro di ricerche cliniche, telemedicina e telefarmacia, Universitá di Camerino, Italy | [c] IRCCS Fondazione SDN, Naples, Italy | [d] Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy | [e] Biostructure and Bioimaging Institute, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Dott. Ivana Molino, Alzheimer Unit AORN Cardarelli, Via A. Cardarelli 9, I-80131 Napoli, Italy. Tel.: +390817472503; Fax: +390817472503; E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: Anterior communicating artery (ACoA) syndrome, which may occur after rupture of ACoA aneurysms, consists of anterograde memory problems, executive dysfunctions, confabulations, and personality changes. Recently, the employment of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) has related ACoA to microstructural lesions in the cingulum and the fornix, but an accurate characterization of these subjects should be provided. We report the clinical and neuropsychological findings of a patient who developed a severe and persistent amnesia together with significant behavioral changes, as well as her imaging results, where the sole evidence of brain damage was that of the fornix demonstrated by DTT. The four-year neuropsychological follow-up of the subject allows exclusion of other causes. This case demonstrates that microstructural lesions of fornix may lead to persistent amnesia, executive impairments, and behavioral changes and contributes to the knowledge of its role in cognition.
