Author:

Myron F. Weiner, M.D. (ed) and Anne M. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D. (ed)

Publisher:

American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.

Publication Date:

2003

Edition:

Third

Binding:

Paper

Category:

Disease-specific > Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia

Description:

This edition summarizes the latest strategies for differential diagnosis of the dementing illnesses and evaluation of cognitive functions. The book focuses on understanding early, preclinical stages of dementing illness, and how they differ from normal aging. With imaging, neuropsychological, and clinical tools, the book evaluates the methods of determining the best ways to identify persons who are at the highest risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The book consists of fifteen chapters and an extensive appendix. The chapters are as follows:

Chapter 1: Clinical Diagnosis of Cognitive Dysfunction and Dementing Illness
Chapter 2: Dementing Illness as a Psychobiological Process
Chapter 3: Medical Evaluation
Chapter 4: Neuroimaging
Chapter 5: Differential Diagnosis
Chapter 6: Psychological and Behavioral Management
Chapter 7: Drugs for Behavioral, Psychological, Cognitive Symptoms
Chapter 8: Evaluation of Cognitive Functions
Chapter 9: Supporting Family Caregivers
Chapter 10: Legal and Ethical Issues
Chapter 11: Mobilizing Community Resources
Chapter 12: Nursing Care for Persons with Cognitive Impairment
Chapter 13: Structuring Environments for Persons with Cognitive Impairment
Chapter 14: Advances in the Molecular and Genetic Basis of Alzheimer’s disease
Chapter 15: Advances in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Types of Information or Instruments:

This book evaluates the mental, social, biological, and neurological aspects of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The book lists several instruments used during the assessment process. The scales are as follows: Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Beck Depression Scale, Texas Functional Living Scale (TFLS), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Quality of Life – Alzheimer’s Disease (QOL-AD), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Geriatric Depression Scale, and National Adult Reading Test – Revised (NART-R).

Quantity of Instruments:

There are 11 actual scales and 32 scales discussed in the book.

Quality of Instrument Descriptions:

Instrument descriptions include author(s), publication date, and number of items, item scaling, item content and references.

Quality of Psychometric Information:

The book describes studies conducted to assess different aspects of dementia. This book evaluates clinical trials and the value of the responses received to assess dementia, but it does not provide psychometric information.

Scale Accessibility:

The book does provide full scales. The following scales are in the book: Dementia Questionnaire, Mental Status Examination, Neurological Examination, Blessed Dementia Rating Scale, Washington University Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory: Community Dwelling Version, Agitated Behavior in Dementia Scale, Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease Scale, Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia Scale (QUALID), and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)

Book Provides Actual Scale Items:

Yes, actual items are provided.

User-friendly Navigation:

The book is easy to navigate.

Other Types of Information:

The book contains a Resource section, which provides a list of both national and state agencies that support the aging population, Alzheimer’s disease, and public health interest and Index.

Hints:

All of the instruments listed in the book can be found in Appendices A – K.