Article Synopsis

by Sandra Piechocki
Fornazzari, L.R. (2005) Preserved painting creativity in an artist with Alzheimer’s disease. European Journal of Neurology, 12, 419-424.

A diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) does not dictate the end of an individual’s creative expression. A case study, “Preserved painting creativity in an artist with Alzheimer’s disease”, published in the European Journal of Neurology, June 2005, reports that while decline in some cognitive function signals the early stages of the disease, creativity can continue to enrich an individual’s quality of life.

Dr. Luis Fornazzari, MD, the author of the study, followed the case of Ms. Danae Chambers, an established artist from British Colombia, who began experiencing signs of cognitive dysfunction at age 49. These included memory loss, disorientation, and deterioration in self-care. By age 54, Ms. Chambers was experiencing increasing problems with her attention and concentration and, after an assessment by a behavioral neurologist, was diagnosed with “early onset of probable Alzheimer’s disease.”

A battery of neuropsychological tests revealed that although functions of the left cerebral hemisphere, such as verbal recall and expressive language were compromised, Ms. Chamber’s visual-perception skills, associated with the right hemisphere, were largely intact. Her visuospatial span of working memory (retaining information in mental images), short-term recall of human faces and geometric shapes, and ability to integrate abstract and concrete designs were preserved. Ms. Chamber’s abilities to artistically express herself remained strong for almost ten years after her initial diagnosis, despite later deterioration in judgment, attention, memory, verbal communication, social participation, safety, community mobility, and orientation.

The chronicle of Ms. Chamber’s decline and details of test results aren’t what make this article relevant to the person diagnosed with AD and her/his family. What is significant about Ms. Chamber’s story is her continued ability to express herself through her art, despite decline in other areas of cognition and function.

Traditional approaches to treatment of AD have focused on functional problems in the individual such as memory loss and difficulties in self-care and communication. Ms. Chamber’s experience adds to research that is exploring how the quality of life for people with dementia can be improved by focusing on abilities instead of cognitive deficits. Not everyone will paint, sculpt, or dance, but an individual’s intact cognitive abilities can be supported and her/his occupational performance optimized through activities that are personally meaningful. Although specific techniques and therapies were not addressed in the article, occupational therapists, for example, can work with individuals with AD, their families, and caregivers to develop programs of intervention that draw on the individual’s strengths and skills to accomplish the activities that they need or want to do in daily life. These activities may well extend beyond the limits of self-care; Ms. Chambers, after learning of her possible AD diagnosis said, “It does not matter if I forget my words or not remember things, because I would get my enjoyment out of the visual world…I also want to be known and my works of art to be exposed to all the people” (Fornazzari, 2005, p. 421).

Dr. Fornazzari’s research supports the belief that creativity in any form should be encouraged in individuals with AD so that overall brain function is maintained. Fornazzari advocates that creative expression by the individual, whether visual, musical, literary, etc. can be a channel for communication with family, caregivers, and healthcare practitioners, especially when other means such as verbal expression are limited. Alternative forms of communication, such as creative expression, could improve the quality of life for individuals with AD by preventing isolation and increasing their connection with those around them.

Fornazzari, L. (2005). Preserved painting creativity in an artist with Alzheimer’s disease.

European Journal of Neurology, 12, 419-424.