PMID: 9447428Jan 1, 1997Paper

Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in the presence of mixed cognitive and affective symptoms

International Psychogeriatrics
B V Reifler

Abstract

Dementia and depression are the two most common mental illnesses in late life, and it is probable that they will coexist in many patients. This coexistence is complicated by the fact that both illnesses can be mistaken for each other, so that many patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may initially be diagnosed as depressed, whereas depression is a recognized cause of cognitive impairment. It is important to correctly differentiate between these two diagnoses; if depression is the cause of the cognitive impairment, full recovery is possible. It is also important to recognize depression in patients with AD, because depression represents a treatable source of additional disability. For patients with AD living in the community, functional limitation can determine whether the patient remains at home or is institutionalized, so treatment that can improve functional ability should be strongly considered. The newer antidepressants are better tolerated without increase in cost, so these drugs may provide a therapeutic advantage over the older tricyclic drugs. This article focuses primarily on techniques for establishing a differential diagnosis, with particular emphasis on patients in the primary care setting, and briefly considers th...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.