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The Differential Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: Conceptual and Methodological Issues

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Mary C. Tierney ,
David W. Reid ,
Maria L. Zorzitto ,
W. Gary Snow ,
Rory H. Fisher ,
Irene Campbell-Taylor  and
Anthony Lewis
Mary C. Tierney*
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
David W. Reid
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Maria L. Zorzitto
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
W. Gary Snow
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Rory H. Fisher
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Irene Campbell-Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
Anthony Lewis
Affiliation:
Department of Extended Care, Psychology, and Pathology and Division of Speech Pathology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
*
Department of Psychology, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5
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Abstract:

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The study of Alzheimer's disease is hampered by insufficient knowledge of its cause. It can best be described as a syndrome whose clinical and pathological features, and their associations over time, need to be more carefully examined. Issues which impede our understanding of this syndrome include the lack of: (a) a singular “gold standard” for its identification; (b) longitudinal studies with appropriate comparison groups and neuropathological follow-up; and (c) standardized multifaceted clinical assessment procedures. Our awareness of the significance of these issues has led us to undertake a large-scale prospective, longitudinal investigation of 399 dementing and normal individuals at Sunnybrook Medical Centre. As a result of problems identified, it is proposed that research efforts across various Canadian centres be coordinated to best utilize available resources and expertise.

Type
Neuropsychological Challenges
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 13 , Issue S4 , November 1986 , pp. 424 - 426
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1986

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