A 55-year-old woman is brought to the office by her husband for evaluation of strange behavior. She has been spending large amounts of money to buy expensive clothes and jewelry. The patient has also offered sex to unknown men in the neighborhood and has become increasingly indifferent toward her family, about whom she used to care deeply. She usually drinks 1 or 2 glasses of wine on weekends but lately has been drinking 2 or 3 glasses almost every day. When asked about these changes during the interview, the patient states that she has not noticed any change in her behavior. Vital signs are normal. The general physical and neurologic examinations are normal. This patient most likely has a condition that predominantly involves which of the following structures?

Question

A 55-year-old woman is brought to the office by her husband for evaluation of strange behavior.  She has been spending large amounts of money to buy expensive clothes and jewelry.  The patient has also offered sex to unknown men in the neighborhood and has become increasingly indifferent toward her family, about whom she used to care deeply.  She usually drinks 1 or 2 glasses of wine on weekends but lately has been drinking 2 or 3 glasses almost every day.  When asked about these changes during the interview, the patient states that she has not noticed any change in her behavior.  Vital signs are normal.  The general physical and neurologic examinations are normal. This patient most likely has a condition that predominantly involves which of the following structures?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Frontotemporal dementia is associated with pronounced atrophy of the prefrontal cortex with later degeneration of the anterior temporal cortex.  It manifests initially with changes in personality, social behavior, and language that progress over time to a more global dementia with obvious neurocognitive deficits.

A 55-Year-Old Woman Is Brought to the Office by Her