Focus on dementia
Key points
- Alzheimer's disease is not the only type of dementia.
- In more than 75% of patients, the memory impairments are due to Alzheimer's disease.
- Gerhard Eschweiler and co-authors (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107[39]: 677-83) in their article introduce biomarkers that raise the probability of identifying Alzheimer's disease at the stage of mild cognitive impairment and up to five years before full-blown dementia to 80%.
- Richard Mahlberg in an introductory editorial emphasizes that the attempts to find an exact differential diagnosis are not merely academic exercises, but that new developments of diagnosis-specific, differentiated interventions for the future depend crucially on a correct initial diagnosis.
Alzheimer's disease is not the only type of dementia. Two particular forms are dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia. In both forms, the diagnosis is of vital importance because the treatment for these dementias differs from that for Alzheimer's dementia, as Brit Mollenhauer and co-authors explain in the dementia theme issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107[39]: 684-91).
In more than 75% of patients, the memory impairments are due to Alzheimer's disease. In Lewy body dementia, which is accompanied by cognitive and/or further psychiatric symptoms, and in Parkinson's disease dementia, these develop only after the motor symptoms of the disorder have fully developed.
Gerhard Eschweiler and co-authors (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2010; 107[39]: 677-83) in their article introduce biomarkers that raise the probability of identifying Alzheimer's disease at the stage of mild cognitive impairment and up to five years before full-blown dementia to 80%.
Richard Mahlberg in an introductory editorial emphasizes that the attempts to find an exact differential diagnosis are not merely academic exercises, but that new developments of diagnosis-specific, differentiated interventions for the future depend crucially on a correct initial diagnosis.
###
Contact: Brit Mollenhauer
Brit.mollenhauer@pk-mx.de
Deutsches Aerzteblatt International
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
Explore health topics
More in this topic
Mental Health →
NewsPrevention efforts focused on youth reduce prescription abuse into adulthood
Middle school students from small towns and rural communities who received any of three community-based prevention programs were less likely to abuse prescription medications in late adolescence and young adulthood. The…
16 February 2013
NewsU.S. mental health experts urge focus on early treatment
The U.S. mental health system has huge gaps that prevent millions of people with psychological problems, including children and teens, from receiving effective treatment that could prevent tragic consequences, experts…
25 January 2013
NewsCommon blood pressure drugs may lower risk of dementia
It was found that people who had taken blood pressure drugs, particularly a class known as beta blockers, showed fewer changes in the brain linked to Alzheimer's disease. Findings of a new study were presented at the…
