Demência de Alzheimer: Correlação entre memória e autonomia

Abstract

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to cognitive impairment and dementia. Within a global reduction in cognitive skills, the loss of memory-related functions has a pivotal role in the development of functional disability. As opposed to physical handicap, disability due to cognitive impairment is a strong determinant of reduced autonomy, hich in turn determines the degree of dependency on a caregiver. We further discuss the role of functional and cognitive screening instruments in the assessment of the degree of autonomy in patients with dementia.