The burden of dementia. A medical and research perspective. Theor Med Bioeth 1999 Jan;20(1):3-13
Date
08/12/1999Pubmed ID
10442050DOI
10.1023/a:1009915605467Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0033027138 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 30 CitationsAbstract
Alzheimer's disease remains the most common form of dementia. Dementia symptoms vary depending on individual personality, life experience, and social and cultural influences. As dementia progresses, involvement of multi-disciplinary health care professionals is needed to manage the disease. Alzheimer research is progressing rapidly. While 5% of all Alzheimer's disease may be genetically determined, the majority is not. Susceptibility genes can reveal the risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease. Early life risk factors such as education, nutrition, and vascular disease may increase the likelihood of dementia in later life. In the United States, two acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have been approved as cognitive enhancers. Possible prevention and symptomatic treatment interventions have focused on estrogen replacement therapy, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory medications. Research advances have improved the clinical management of dementia. Ethical implications to the patient, family, and society are multiple and remain challenging.
Author List
Antuono P, Beyer JAuthor
Piero G. Antuono MD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease
Brain Diseases
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Dementia
Ethics, Medical
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Home Care Services
Humans
Paternalism
Personal Autonomy
Risk Factors
Therapeutic Human Experimentation
