Current Status of the Neurobiology of Alzheimer's Disease and the Importance of Early Diagnosis

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Alzheimer's disease—occurring upward of 15% of individuals age 65 and older—is the most prevalent age-related dementia. Since the late 1970s, neuropsychologists have been instrumental in identifying patterns of sparing and impairment of cognitive, sensory, and motor functions and rates of declines in selective functions. Anyone who has engaged in longitudinal study of AD and anyone of that large segment of the population with relatives suffering with AD has witnessed first-hand the relentless, irreversible demise of function and ultimate loss of dignity characteristic of AD's course. The approach of Scinto and Daffner's edited book, Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease, avoids rehashing the already established descriptions of AD and provides firm, scientific rationale for the meaningfulness of early and accurate diagnosis of AD despite its current dire prognosis and lack of effective medical treatment.