Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders associated with dementia
Abstract
Background: The aim of this guideline for diagnosis of dementia is to present a peer-reviewed and evidence-based statement in order to guide the practice of neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, and other specialised physicians responsible for the care of patients with dementia. The main focus is the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, but many of the recommendations apply to dementia disorders in general.
Methods: The material is derived from a revision of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) guidelines and it is assembled with current findings and notations particular to Czech specifics. Evidence from original research reports, meta analyses and systematic reviews published before January 2007 were considered in the writing of these guidelines.
Results. The aim in the writing of this guideline was to propose a recommended diagnostic algorithm for Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease with dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies.
It also contains information about clinical diagnostics, blood tests, neuroimaging, analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid, genetic tests, biopsy, informing of diagnosis and monitoring of the behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia. Conclusion: This guideline may contribute to the rational diagnostic methods used in the most common dementia disorders according to evidence-based medicine