Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
06:23
The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: October 13, 2016
Diagnosing dementia in the oldest-old
Carrie Brumback-Peltz1, Archana B Balasubramanian, María M Corrada
1Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4540, United States. cpeltz@uci.edu
Maturitas
|August 12, 2011
Summary
Diagnosing dementia in the oldest-old is challenging due to mixed pathologies and comorbidities. Further research is crucial to understand dementia causes and expression in this rapidly growing population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- The
- oldest-old
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges and complexities in diagnosing dementia in the oldest-old population.
- To highlight the unique factors influencing dementia diagnosis and etiology in individuals aged 90 and above.
- To discuss findings from The 90+ Study regarding dementia in the oldest-old.
Main Methods:
- Review of experiences from a population-based longitudinal investigation, The 90+ Study.
- Analysis of factors affecting dementia diagnosis in the oldest-old, including comorbidities, sensory loss, medication use, frailty, and social/cultural expectations.
- Examination of neuropathological findings in dementia among the oldest-old.
Main Results:
- Dementia diagnosis in the oldest-old is complicated by high rates of medical comorbidities, sensory loss, and medication use.
- Social and cultural factors influence the reporting and interpretation of behavioral changes.
- Dementia in the oldest-old is often characterized by mixed pathologies, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular disease, and hippocampal sclerosis.
Conclusions:
- Accurate dementia diagnosis in the oldest-old requires careful consideration of multiple contributing factors.
- Mixed pathologies are common in oldest-old individuals with dementia.
- Additional research is needed to fully understand dementia etiologies and disease expression in this demographic.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...