Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia. A subgroup of patients has the familial or early-onset (<65 years) form of AD, with rapid course and a dominant genetic transmission through many generations. We report a case of a patient without a positive familiar history for AD, who presented early memory problems and progressive functional and cognitive (speech, praxis, executive functions e viso-spatial habilities) decline. Behavioural (imnsonia, psychomotor agitation and hypersexuality) and psychological (depression) symptoms of AD were noticed in different stages of the disease. Structural and functional neuroimaging techniques showed impairment of posterior cortical areas. Early onset AD can be confounded with psychiatric disorders especially when there is no familiar history for AD. The presenile impact on both patient and family is intense and treatment in the early stages is very important to reduce patient and caregivers' burden.
Alzheimer's disease; presenile
