Alzheimer's Disease

Alternate Name:

Test: No specific diagnostic test. Tests to exclude other causes of dementia (e.g. hypothyroidism) should be performed

Sign:

Dd: Cerebrovascular insufficiency, depression, Par-kinson's disease, alcoholism, mental retardation, encephalopathy, Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, hy-drocephalus, social isolation, medications (e.g. sedatives)

Phys: Clinical diagnostic criteria are: Multiple cognitive deficits manifested by both memory impairment; and one or more of aphasia, apraxia, agnosia or failure of planning or organis¬ing Other causes of dementia excluded Gradual onset and continuing decline Decline from previous level of social function