The Dementias, Third Edition

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research

Edited by Myron F. Weiner, M.D., and Anne M. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D.

2003
596 Pages
Editorial Reviews

ISBN 978-1-58562-043-2
Item #62043

List Price: $147.00
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Description
Contents
Editorial Reviews
About the Authors

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.

Contributors
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1. Clinical Diagnosis of Cognitive Dysfunction and Dementing Illness
Chapter 2. Dementing Illness as a Psychobiological Process
Chapter 3. Medical Evaluation
Chapter 4. Neuroimaging
Chapter 5. Differential Diagnosis
Chapter 6. Psychological and Behavioral Management
Chapter 7. Drugs for Behavioral, Psychological, and Cognitive Symptoms
Chapter 8. Evaluation of Cognitive Functions
Chapter 9. Supporting Family Caregivers
Chapter 10. Legal and Ethical Issues
Chapter 11. Mobilizing Community Resources
Chapter 12. Nursing Care for Persons With Cognitive Impairment
Chapter 13. Structuring Environments for Persons With Cognitive Impairment
Chapter 14. Advances in the Molecular and Genetic Basis of Alzheimer's Disease
Chapter 15. Advances in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
Appendix A: Dementia Questionnaire
Appendix B: Mental Status Examination
Appendix C: Neurological Examination
Appendix D: Blessed Dementia Rating Scale
Appendix E: Washington University Clinical Dementia Rating Scale
Appendix F: Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale
Appendix G: Neuropsychiatric Inventory: Community Dwelling Version
Appendix H: Agitated Behavior in Dementia Scale
Appendix I: Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Scale
Appendix J: Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) Scale
Appendix K: Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
Appendix L: Resources
Index

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.

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.—Eric Pfeiffer, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Director, Suncoast Gerontology Center, University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida

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.—Jeffrey L. Cummings, M.D., The Augustus S. Rose Professor of Neurology, Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science, UCLA; Director, UCLA Alzheimer's Disease Center, Los Angeles, California

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.—George T. Grossberg, M.D., Samuel W. Fordyce Professor; Director, Geriatric Psychiatry, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine

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. Beatty, Ph.D., American Journal of Psychiatry, 10/1/2003