TL;DR
Turn your wind-down time into listening time
- Thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and originals
- Listen on your phone, tablet or Echo — also offline
- Cancel anytime
Retired psychiatrist Scott Cunningham was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare form of Alzheimer’s that often affects visual and spatial processing before memory. His and his wife Anne’s account describes years of initially unexplained difficulties and an eye examination that helped point beyond the eyes; several details of his later care come from their interview with Being Patient.
Retired psychiatrist Scott Cunningham was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) in December 2020 after years of increasing difficulty with tasks involving vision and spatial processing, according to an interview with him and his wife, Anne, published by Being Patient. Their account shows how symptoms that can appear to be eyesight problems may lead to a prolonged search for an explanation, though one couple’s experience cannot establish how PCA presents for everyone.
Cunningham said early changes included trouble cutting a board straight, assembling a log rack from instructions and reading an analog clock. He also found computer-based financial tasks harder to manage, and later struggled with board games involving shapes and their orientation. He said these problems developed over several years and were not initially obvious to him as signs of a neurological condition.
His wife noticed some difficulties that concerned her. Cunningham first sought eye care and was told he might have cataracts; he subsequently underwent cataract removal in both eyes. He said his vision improved somewhat but still did not feel right. In a later visit, an ophthalmologist told him that his eyeballs appeared normal, according to his account. A brain scan eventually confirmed the PCA diagnosis in December 2020, the report says.
The couple also discussed what followed. Cunningham said he learned the diagnosis through a patient portal before speaking with a doctor. He carries two copies of the ApoE4 gene and is participating in the third year of a five-year gene therapy clinical trial, according to the report. He said his neurologist advised against anti-amyloid treatment because of his ApoE4 status. The supplied interview does not provide the clinician’s reasoning in detail or identify the trial.
When Vision Symptoms Point Beyond the Eyes
PCA can affect a person’s ability to interpret visual information and manage spatial relationships, even when the eyes themselves are relatively healthy. That distinction matters because someone may seek help from eye-care providers before the cause is recognized as neurological. The Cunninghams’ account illustrates the challenges of that route without showing that every vision complaint, or every difficulty with everyday tasks, indicates PCA.
The diagnosis can also affect practical independence and family life. Cunningham described stepping away from tasks he had once handled and feeling demoralized when he could no longer participate in a familiar game in the same way. Anne said vision-related services were often missing from PCA care. Her view is an account of their experience, not a system-wide assessment, but it highlights the couple’s concern that support should address functional vision as well as diagnosis.
visual aid devices for neurological conditions
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
A Gradual Route to Diagnosis
Being Patient describes PCA as a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease that tends to affect vision and spatial processing before memory. Possible difficulties include interpreting what is seen, judging distances, reading and finding objects. These symptoms concern how the brain processes visual information, rather than necessarily indicating a problem with the eyes themselves.
In Cunningham’s case, the reported diagnosis came after several years of changes and eye treatment that did not resolve all of his concerns. The interview is part of Being Patient’s “Journey to Diagnosis” series and was sponsored by Eisai. The publication states that the sponsor had no role in selecting guests, shaping questions or reviewing the interview before publication.
“I failed. Could you try this?”
— Scott Cunningham, describing difficulty with a home project
What the Interview Leaves Open
The supplied report does not give the date the interview was published, the name of the gene therapy trial, or its study design, goals and results. Cunningham’s participation is not evidence that the treatment is effective. The report also does not detail the clinical basis for his neurologist’s advice about anti-amyloid treatment or state whether that advice applies beyond his individual case.
The account is an interview with one couple, not a clinical study or a guide to diagnosing PCA. It does not explain the full sequence of evaluations that led to the brain scan, or describe how Cunningham’s symptoms and care have changed since the interview. Those details remain unknown from the material provided.
Trial Participation and Ongoing Care
Cunningham was reported to be in the third year of a five-year gene therapy clinical trial. The supplied material does not say when the trial is expected to end, when results may be available, or whether an update has been released. His participation and treatment choices should be understood as details of his reported care, not recommendations for others.
The couple’s account also points to their continued concern about practical support, including services for people whose daily lives are affected by visual-processing difficulties. The interview does not announce a new service or policy change. For readers concerned about persistent vision or spatial difficulties, the account is not a diagnostic tool; individual medical concerns should be discussed with a qualified health professional.
Key Questions
What is posterior cortical atrophy?
Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease that often affects visual and spatial processing. People may have trouble interpreting what they see even when their eyesight itself is relatively normal.
What symptoms did Scott Cunningham report?
Cunningham described difficulty cutting a board straight, reading an analog clock, following assembly instructions, managing detailed computer tasks and playing a board game involving rotated shapes. These are details of his experience, not a checklist for diagnosing PCA.
How was Cunningham diagnosed?
After years of difficulties and cataract surgery that did not fully resolve his concerns, an ophthalmologist noted that his eyeballs appeared normal. A brain scan later confirmed his PCA diagnosis in December 2020, according to the Being Patient report.
Does the account say gene therapy works for PCA?
No. It reports that Cunningham was in the third year of a five-year gene therapy clinical trial, but provides no trial results or evidence of effectiveness.
Does this story give medical advice?
No. It recounts one couple’s experience and does not diagnose readers or recommend a treatment. Anyone with health concerns should speak with a qualified health professional.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
