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Development of novel diagnostic tools for behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia

Semenkova, Anna. Development of novel diagnostic tools for behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia. 2024, Doctoral Thesis, University of Basel, Faculty of Psychology.

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Official URL: https://edoc.unibas.ch/96647/

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Abstract

Behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is one of the most common early-onset dementia with the first symptoms occurring before the age of 65. Due to the lack of reliable biomarkers, neuropsychological assessment plays a crucial role in bvFTD diagnosis. In 2011 revised diagnostic criteria for bvFTD showed high sensitivity to the early bvFTD symptoms. However, bvFTD is still often misdiagnosed with other neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, especially at the early stages of the disease. The aim of this dissertation was to provide clinicians with new diagnostic tools that can increase diagnostic accuracy of early bvFTD. The focus lay on two diagnostic domains, (1) behavioural disorders as outlined in the current diagnostic criteria and (2) Theory of Mind, a subdomain of social cognition often impaired in bvFTD patients even before other behavioural or cognitive symptoms occur. As a result, two diagnostic instruments were developed. The first one is the Behavioural Dysfunctional Questionnaire, the first behavioural scale operationalising the current diagnostic criteria in form of a standardised informant-report questionnaire. The second one is the Basel Version of The Awareness of Social Inference Test – Theory of Mind, a video-based test assessing Theory of Mind ability close to real-life setting and fulfilling the requirements on clinical tools. The implementation of the developed tools in clinical evaluations of the patients with suspect on bvFTD can increase the diagnostic accuracy but also contribute to better understanding of symptoms’ development and progression. This dissertation describes the development of these tools and discusses the possible effects of their implementation for diagnosis and therapy strategies of bvFTD.
Advisors:Sollberger, Marc
Committee Members:Mata, Rui
Faculties and Departments:07 Faculty of Psychology > Departement Psychologie > Society & Choice > Cognitive and Decision Sciences (Mata)
UniBasel Contributors:Sollberger, Marc and Mata, Rui
Item Type:Thesis
Thesis Subtype:Doctoral Thesis
Thesis no:15483
Thesis status:Complete
Number of Pages:1 Band (verschiedene Seitenzählungen)
Language:English
Identification Number:
  • urn: urn:nbn:ch:bel-bau-diss154838
edoc DOI:
Last Modified:03 Oct 2024 09:34
Deposited On:02 Oct 2024 13:23

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