In 2011, National Institute on Aging and
Alzheimer's Association joint task forces released
proposed criteria for Alzheimer' disease diagnosis.
These proposals included revisions to the nearly
30-year-old NINDS-ADRDA criteria for Alzheimer's
diagnosis and added criteria for diagnosis of Mild
Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease.
The same year the American Psychiatric Association
proposed new criteria for major and minor neurocognitive
disorders (the entities previously known as dementia and
mild cognitive impairment, respectively). These new
criteria reflect the research and clinical advances in
identifying mild cognitive impairment and offer new
opportunities for prevention, treatment, and management
of neurodegenerative conditions.
A major focus
of this book is on the mild cognitive impairment
prodrome of the common dementias. In addition to
discussing the most common neurodegenerative conditions,
many rare neurodegenerative conditions are highlighted.
Most chapters include an autopsy-confirmed case
presentation from the authors' files. Following the case
presentation, those chapters present current diagnostic
criteria, epidemiology, neuropathology/neurophysiology,
genetics, neuroimaging studies as relevant, associated
clinical features, differential neuropsychological
features and possible interventions for each disorder.
The pace of change in research and practice in
the field of normal cognitive aging and dementia is
increasing almost as fast as the median age of the
population. The massive baby boom population bubble is
currently entering the age of risk for neurodegenerative
conditions. Neuropsychologists will play a major role in
refining and applying these diagnoses, and in
developing, testing, and refining interventions for
these diagnoses, and in caring for this population. This
book is intended to prepare neuropsychologists and
others interested in neuropsychology to serve this
fastest growing segment of our population.
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