PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Gauthier, S.
AU  - Panisset, M.
AU  - Nalbantoglu, J.
AU  - Poirier, J.
TI  - Alzheimer's disease: current knowledge, management and research
DP  - 1997 Oct 15
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 1047--1052
VI  - 157
IP  - 8
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/157/8/1047.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/157/8/1047.full
SO  - CMAJ1997 Oct 15; 157
AB  - Alzheimer's disease is a common neurological condition, appearing as early as age 40 but increasing dramatically in incidence over age 85. Different genetic factors are at play, modified by events over a lifetime. Clinical diagnosis is possible through careful history taking with a reliable informant and a minimum number of laboratory tests. A relatively predictable natural history can be observed, with progression through stages of cognitive loss, functional impairment and behavioural disinhibition or apathy. New medications such as donepezil offer hope for improving or stabilizing symptoms. Such treatment can be administered by primary care physicians with experience in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease. Disease stabilization, or even prevention, may be possible in the future.