Cognitive decline and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (DTA) constitutes the most common cause of dementia. Its prevalence is about 2-4% at the age of 70 and between 30% and 50% in persons over the age of 85. The prevalence doubles every 5 years, being even more prevalent in women, which probably reflects their greater longevity. With the increase of life expectancy, the impact of this disease will keep growing significantly unless prevention and/or treatment actions are developed. Many efforts in diagnostic methodology as well as trials used to stop the progression in this preclinical stage of investigation have been made and still -continue, although at present there are not worldwide agreed or approved -treatments for it. Nowadays, there are five drugs that were approved by the FDA for probable DTA treatment; only four of them are used regularly. Differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease constitutes one of the most -complex challenges in medicine. We could say that we can found five possible variables for the differential diagnosis. 1. Clinical interpretation 2. Neuroimaging 3. Differential blood check for cognitive disorders 4. Genetic biomarkers (or data in lifetime clinical record, LCR) 5. Neurocognitive evaluation These items must be studied by a qualified stuff at specialized centers, if possible, to arrive at the closest diagnosis to reality. Finally, biomarkers and genetics constitute substantial progress that will lead to a sensitive and specific diagnosis at the same time. © 2010 Springer Japan.