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Social & Public Policy of Alzheimer's Disease in the United States pp 1–26Cite as

Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: An Introduction

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Abstract

This chapter first discusses the definition of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and distinguishes it from other dementias. It illustrates how problematic it is to diagnose it precisely, in part because it is often mixed with other types, but also because it can vary among individuals. The chapter next examines the stages of AD and the accompanying symptoms at each stage. It then turns attention to competing theories of the causes of AD and to the range of frameworks for studying it. Although the disease model is predominant in the literature, it is not without controversy. The chapter then summarizes testing possibilities for AD, other forms of cognitive impairment, and asymptomatic individuals at high risk of developing AD. Finally, it presents data on AD prevalence and deaths in the United States and at the global level.

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  1. Sarasota, FL, USA

    Robert H. Blank

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  1. Robert H. Blank
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Blank, R.H. (2019). Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: An Introduction. In: Social & Public Policy of Alzheimer's Disease in the United States. Palgrave Pivot, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0656-3_1

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