title: Disconnection of language and memory in semantic dementia: a comparative and theoretical analysis.
abstract: In this paper, we present an illustrative case of Semantic Dementia (SD) and we review the literature on this relatively rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder. After reviewing the clinical, neuroimaging, neuropathological, and genetic features of SD, we propose a theoretical framework that addresses features of SD and relates them to features of other well known neuropsychiatric syndromes. Our 'on-line / off-line disconnection' model seeks to conceptualize SD as a syndrome of disconnection between two large distributed cortical networks, namely, between those networks that subserve language function and those that subserve memory function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Passmore
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ingles
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fisk
authors.forename: Sultan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Darvesh
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon