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[Attitude of the elderly to the etiology of memory disorders]
M C Angermeyer1, M Ehmann, H Matschinger
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie Universitätsklinikum Leipzig Johannisallee 20 04317 Leipzig. krausem@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Purpose:
The early recognition of dementia assumes increasing importance. Lay beliefs on the causes of loss of memory play a major part in this regard as they have shown to determine help-seeking behaviour.
Method:
720 persons aged 75 or older were questioned on their beliefs on the causes of cognitive deficits in the context of the Leipzig Longitudinal Study of the Aged (LEILA 75+).
Results:
Almost one-third of the respondents mentioned exclusively biological causes, vascular lesions coming first. One quarter of those questioned ascribed memory deficits to non-biological factors. Every tenth person suspected that they result from a combination of both. One quarter of the elderly did not know any answer.
Discussion:
The results are contrasted with outcomes of epidemiological dementia research. It is argued that increasing and better quality information of the public are urgently required.
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