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Cognitive markers preceding Alzheimer's dementia in the healthy oldest old
Author(s)Diane B Howieson, Alison Dame, Richard Camicioli
Journal titleJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, vol 45, no 5, May 1997
Pagespp 584-589
KeywordsDementia ; Memory and Reminiscence ; Over 70s ; Evaluation ; United States of America.
AnnotationLimited opportunities exist for studying the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease before an established diagnosis, however, studying those at risk, such as the oldest old, is one method. This study examined the development of cognitive impairment in a sample of community-dwelling, functionally independent, healthy individuals aged between 65 and 106, who met strict criteria for lack of dementia at entry. Scores on 10 neuropsychological measures were analysed for the initial examination when none of the participants showed clinical evidence for dementia, and for two subsequent annual examination. Findings revealed that those who subsequently developed dementia showed evidence of verbal memory impairment at their initial examination. The average yearly incidence rate for dementia in those aged 80 years and over was 12% The study concluded that verbal memory decline is the earliest sign of Alzheimer's disease.
Accession NumberCPA-970812262 A
ClassmarkEA: DB: BBK: 4C: 7T

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