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Following the success of the first edition and the rapid development of new drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease, Serge Gauthier has approached not only his original contributors but a number of leading clinicians and researchers to give their views based on clinical experience and scientific evidence for the treatment of this disease. The information provided here reflects work in progress on aetiology, clinical and laboratory assessment, natural evolution, medical and non-medical management.

hardcover, textbook

Melanie M. Brandabur This second edition is a practical and straightforward treatment of the approach to the patient with dementia. It offers a basic and well reasoned look at the clinical presentation of a typical AD patient, and the evaluation and treatment of that patient. This book is written to educate practitioners and to improve care of people with Alzheimer's disease. It has been updated to include new medical therapies for AD. This will be a valuable resource for nurses, social workers, physicians, and others involved in the care of AD patients. All major aspects of the assessment and treatment of the AD patient are covered including diagnostic criteria, major clinical scales used, imaging and laboratory studies, medical management, home care resources, legal and ethical issues, and terminal care. The concise chapter on differential diagnosis closes with the general rule that AD, in the early stages, is a disease in which function is lost, and that positive signs such as seizures and marked personality changes should suggest the possibility of another diagnosis. This reasoned and experienced approach is typical of the book, in which the editor avoids lengthy descriptions of exotic rarities in favor of useful tips on managing the patient in an institution or dealing with terminal care issues. This is a very useful book with a great deal of practical information. This second edition is justified in view of the emergence of new medications that stabilize Alzheimer's disease to some extent, but it may be a bit premature.