Semantic dementia: A Neuropsychological Case Study

Semantic dementia is a neurodegenerative syndrome within the frontotemporal dementia spectrum, currently classified as the semantic variant of Primary Progressive Aphasia (svPPA). It is characterized by a progressive deterioration of semantic memory, with severe anomia, impaired single-word comprehension, and loss of conceptual knowledge despite relatively preserved fluency, grammar, and articulation in the early stages. The present thesis describes a clinical case observed during a neuropsychological internship at Cooperativa Sociale ONLUS Nuovo Solco, within a community-based dementia care setting, under the supervision of a clinical neuropsychologist. The work reconstructs the patient’s clinical course from the initial concerns and the first neuropsychological evaluation in 2022, through participation in a group cognitive training program done at the dementia care center by the neuropsychologist, to the subsequent behavioral changes and the more detailed neuropsychological re-evaluation conducted in 2025. Particular attention is given to the progressive semantic impairment, ecological manifestations in daily life, and the adaptation of cognitive stimulation toward semantic processing and functional communication. The case highlights the importance of integrating standardized neuropsychological assessment with behavioral observation, caregiver information, and individualized intervention planning.