Impaired processing of famous faces in Alzheimer's disease is related to neurofibrillary tangle densities in the prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex

To examine the neuroanatomical correlates of impaired processing of famous faces in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we performed an anterograde clinicopatho logical study of 25 patients with clinically and neuropathologically confir med AD. Famous face recognition, identification and naming was assessed usi ng the Famous Face Test, The assessment of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) and senile plaque (SP) densities was performed in ten cortical areas in both h emispheres, and statistical analysis was made using forward stepwise logist ic regression models, A statistically significant relationship was found be tween NFT densities in Brodmann's areas 9 and 24 in both hemispheres and im paired famous face naming and identification. SP counts did not correlate w ith any of the neuropsychological parameters. These data suggest that NFT f ormation in prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, two areas involved in semantic memory processes, is a key event in famous face naming and identi fication deficits. In agreement with previous studies, they also indicate t hat SP densities are not a good pathological correlate of neuropsychologica l deficits in AD. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.