The Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research

by Myron F. Weiner MD (Editor), Anne M. Lipton MD PhD (Editor)

Overview

Confusion. Fear. Isolation. This is the human experience of dementing illness, and it is at the heart of this practical, informative volume by a broad range of clinically grounded experts.

This book is designed to meet the needs of clinicians dealing with persons with dementing illness and to serve as an introduction to the pathophysiology of dementing illness and a resource for clinical investigators.

The giant strides in dementia research since the publication of the first edition in 1991 have generated optimism that we will soon be able to delay onset and even prevent these diseases that devastate both patients and caregivers. This third edition has been revised, updated, and expanded to cover changes in the classification, management and treatment of dementing illnesses and to give a more extensive account of basic and clinical research findings. At the same time, this remarkable volume indicates the interaction of the patient's personality, the caregiver, and the environment with the pathophysiology of dementing illnesses that creates the variety of symptoms accompanying these illnesses and impacting their treatment.

Like the second edition, this third edition has three sections, flowing from diagnosis through management/treatment to research. New to this edition are • A world-class presentation on the molecular and genetic basis of Alzheimer's disease• A beautifully illustrated chapter on contemporary neuroimaging• Discussions of mild cognitive impairment, the frontotemporal dementias, and the dementias associated with Lewy bodies

This third edition is exceptionally valuable for addressing the day-to-day challenges of dealing effectively and humanely with persons with dementing illness. Case examples are used in the chapters on psychological/behavioral and drug management to indicate practical approaches to maintaining patients at their optimal level of function. Unlike similar texts, this volume also reviews legal and ethical issues in the care of persons with dementing illness and shows how clinicians and caregivers how to mobilize community resources. Extensive reference lists round out each chapter. The book concludes with 11 assessment guides and rating scales and an index.

Now more than ever, there is hope that advances in understanding dementing illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease will lead to their effective treatment, and ultimately to their prevention. Until then, clinicians, families, and society will continue to be faced with the challenges posed by these illnesses -- making this book a "must read" for physicians and other health care professionals, whether in training, in practice, or engaged in clinical research.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781585627561
Publisher:	American Psychiatric Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	08/13/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	596
File size:	22 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Myron F. Weiner, M.D., is Professor of Psychiatry, Associate Professor of Neurology, Aradine S. Ard Chair in Brain Science, and Dorothy L. and John P. Harbin Chair in Alzheimer's Disease Research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Anne M. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

Table of Contents

ContributorsForewordIntroductionChapter 1. Clinical Diagnosis of Cognitive Dysfunction and Dementing IllnessChapter 2. Dementing Illness as a Psychobiological ProcessChapter 3. Medical EvaluationChapter 4. NeuroimagingChapter 5. Differential DiagnosisChapter 6. Psychological and Behavioral ManagementChapter 7. Drugs for Behavioral, Psychological, and Cognitive SymptomsChapter 8. Evaluation of Cognitive FunctionsChapter 9. Supporting Family CaregiversChapter 10. Legal and Ethical IssuesChapter 11. Mobilizing Community ResourcesChapter 12. Nursing Care for Persons With Cognitive ImpairmentChapter 13. Structuring Environments for Persons With Cognitive ImpairmentChapter 14. Advances in the Molecular and Genetic Basis of Alzheimer's DiseaseChapter 15. Advances in the Treatment of Alzheimer's DiseaseAppendix A: Dementia QuestionnaireAppendix B: Mental Status ExaminationAppendix C: Neurological ExaminationAppendix D: Blessed Dementia Rating ScaleAppendix E: Washington University Clinical Dementia Rating ScaleAppendix F: Alzheimer's Disease Assessment ScaleAppendix G: Neuropsychiatric Inventory: Community Dwelling VersionAppendix H: Agitated Behavior in Dementia ScaleAppendix I: Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease ScaleAppendix J: Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) Scale Appendix K: Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)Appendix L: ResourcesIndex

What People are Saying About This

George T. Grossberg

Dr. Weiner's updated third edition of this classic text, The Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research, is even more appealing and clinically relevant. This third edition should be on the bookshelf of all practitioners who deal with dementia patients and their families. The third edition is thorough yet precise and clinically valuable.

Jeffrey L. Cummings

The first two editions of The Dementias were excellent and provided a valuable resource for clinicians and dementia researchers. The third edition extends this history of accomplishment and provides a terrific update of new information and evolving practices. Dementia recognition, assessment, differential diagnosis, and treatment are all thoroughly covered, and advances in research and evolving research directions are also presented. The information is concise, practical, and up-to-date. Progress in understanding and treating Alzheimer's disease as well as new information regarding dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementias, and vascular dementia is included. The editors are co-authors of many of the chapters, providing a uniform content and stylistic approach. Case examples in many chapters increase the clinical utility of the information provided. Geriatricians, neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, and others caring for the elderly with cognitive impairment will find this to be an essential resource.

William W. Beatty

In summary, this book will be a valuable reference for physicians and psychologists who treat the elderly. It will be particularly useful as a text for interns, residents, and fellows in psychiatry, neurology, geriatric medicine, and neuropsychology. (American Journal of Psychiatry)

Eric Pfeiffer

The third edition of Dementias: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research update the prodigious gains that have been made in our understanding of the dementias in only the last few years. Formal criteria for... minimal cognitive impairment, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and front-temporal dementia' are highlighted. As before, the book reflects the creative alliance between psychiatry and neurology in the diagnosis and treatment of dementing disorders. Of particular value are the new chapter on neuroimaging by Gene Alexander and Eric Reiman, and the review of new treatments of Alzheimer's disease by Kenneth Davis and Steven Samuels.

Editorial Reviews

4 Stars! from Doody

In summary, this book will be a valuable reference for physicians and psychologists who treat the elderly. It will be particularly useful as a text for interns, residents, and fellows in psychiatry, neurology, geriatric medicine, and neuropsychology.

William W. Beattyn Journal of Psychiatry

Reviewer: Daniel Loiterstein, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This is the third edition of a book that covers the diagnosis and treatment of the dementias and summarizes current research in the field. Since the first edition was published in 1991, the state-of-the-art information about dementia has changed significantly. Much of that new knowledge is contained in this book.
Purpose: According to the authors, the purpose is to provide a comprehensive book about dementia. The focus is geared toward practical management of dementia and its most troubling manifestations. This book is needed. Demographic trends point to increased numbers of elderly worldwide, and the burden of dementia is expected to coincide with this trend. The authors meet their goals in writing a clinical book aimed at helping practitioners care for these patients.
Audience: Full appreciation of the book requires background knowledge and experience with dementia patients. Although published by American Psychiatric Publishing, this book would appeal to nonpsychiatrists as well as psychiatrists. The editors are leaders in the field of dementia and they draw on a diverse group of experts to write the individual chapters.
Features: The book presents a broad review of our current understanding of dementia. Although comprehensive chapters on advanced neuroimaging and molecular genetics are included, the foundation is primarily composed of clinically relevant material. Included in the appendix are clinical tools to aid in diagnosis and evaluation. In addition, national support organizations and other resources are incorporated.
Assessment: This is an essential reference for those who treat dementia. The new edition effectively updates current progress in the care of patients with dementia.

Doody's Review Service

In summary, this book will be a valuable reference for physicians and psychologists who treat the elderly. It will be particularly useful as a text for interns, residents, and fellows in psychiatry, neurology, geriatric medicine, and neuropsychology.

American Journal of Psychiatry - William W. Beatty