DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT OF COGNITIVE NEUROLOGY AND AGING OF THE BRAZILIAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY

Abstract

This paper presents the consensus of the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and Aging from the Brazilian Academy of Neurology on the diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Brazil. The authors performed a review of the literature regarding clinical and research criteria for AD diagnosis and proposed protocols for use at primary, secondary, and tertiary care levels. Within this clinical scenario, the diagnostic criteria for typical and atypical AD are presented, as well as clinical, cognitive, and functional assessment tools; and complementary propaedeutics with laboratory and neuroimaging tests. The use of biomarkers is also discussed, both for clinical diagnosis (in specific conditions) and research.