The incidence of clinically apparent asymmetric
profiles of neuropsychological deficits in Alzheimer's
disease (AD) patients similar to those reported in the
PET literature is currently unclear. This study investigated
lateral neuropsychological asymmetry using principal component
factor analysis in a sample of 153 patients diagnosed with
probable AD. Using factor scores, patients were classified
into groups exhibiting asymmetric or symmetric profiles
of neuropsychological deficits. In the analysis of lateral
asymmetry, 27.5% of patients were classified as asymmetric
(10% verbally and 17% visuospatially). Consistent with
reports of continued asymmetry beyond the mild dementia
stage, asymmetry was exhibited in the mild, moderate, and
severely demented groups. These findings of neuropsychological
asymmetry across stages of dementia are consistent with
the picture of significant neuropsychological heterogeneity
in AD that has been emerging in the decade. (JINS,
1997, 3, 420–427.)