What Makes PCA Different
Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) doesn’t always look like traditional dementia, which is why it often goes undetected. Most people think of memory loss when they hear the word “dementia,” but PCA starts differently. It mainly affects vision and spatial awareness. That’s why people with PCA may struggle to read, recognize objects, or even know where their own limbs are. Memory can stay mostly intact for a while, which makes the diagnosis more confusing. Gemma could remember conversations and people for a long time, even as her eyesight and coordination slipped away. This disconnect between what’s expected and what actually happens makes PCA especially difficult to spot. Some doctors aren’t familiar with the condition at all. That’s one reason why Gemma’s symptoms were misread for so long, because PCA just didn’t fit the typical mold.