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Dr KK Aggarwal 26 July 2018
The first practice guidelines for clinical evaluation of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias has been released by the Alzheimer’s Association. The guideline addresses care of patients in both primary care and specialty care settings.
At their core, the guidelines recommend that all middle-aged or older individuals who self-report or whose care partner or clinician report cognitive, behavioral or functional changes should undergo a timely multi-tiered evaluation. Not just the patient and the doctor but, almost always, a care partner e.g., family member or confidant should always be involved.
Most importantly, concerns should not be dismissed as “normal aging” without a proper assessment. Not doing so delays the correct diagnosis and consequently, timely and appropriate care for persons with the disease.
The guidelines also emphasize on obtaining a history from the patient and also from someone who knows the patient well to:
A broader category of “Cognitive Behavioral Syndromes” is described in the guidelines indicating that neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimers disease and related dementias lead to both behavioral and cognitive symptoms of dementia. As a result, these conditions can produce changes in mood, anxiety, sleep, and personality together with interpersonal, work and social relationships, which become apparent earlier than the typical memory and thinking symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
The guidelines were previewed on July 22 at the Alzheimers Association International Conference (AAIC) 2018, which concludes today in Chicago.
(Source: Alzheimer’s Association)
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
Vice President CMAAO
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of India
Immediate Past National President IMA
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