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The Differential Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Mary C. Tierney*
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
David W. Reid
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Maria L. Zorzitto
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
W. Gary Snow
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Rory H. Fisher
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Irene Campbell-Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Anthony Lewis
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
*
Department of Psychology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
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Abstract:

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The study of Alzheimer's disease is hampered by insufficient knowledge of its cause. It can best be described as a syndrome whose clinical and pathological features, and their associations over time, need to be more carefully examined. Issues which impede our understanding of this syndrome include the lack of: (a) a singular “gold standard” for its identification; (b) longitudinal studies with appropriate comparison groups and neuropathological follow-up; and (c) standardized multifaceted clinical assessment procedures. Our awareness of the significance of these issues has led us to undertake a large-scale prospective, longitudinal investigation of 399 dementing and normal individuals at Sunnybrook Medical Centre. As a result of problems identified, it is proposed that research efforts across various Canadian centres be coordinated to best utilize available resources and expertise.

Type
Neuropsychological Challenges
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1986

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