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Cognitive, functional and behavioral assessment: Alzheimer's disease
Márcia L F Chaves1, Claudia C Godinho1, Claudia S Porto2
1Neurology Service of the Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil.
Dementia & Neuropsychologia
|December 8, 2017
Summary
This review recommends validated cognitive and functional assessment tools for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia in Brazil. It provides evidence-based guidance on selecting appropriate tests for various assessment needs.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia relies on comprehensive cognitive, functional, and behavioral assessments.
- Standardized and validated tools are crucial for consistent diagnosis and severity assessment across different populations.
- Brazil requires specific recommendations for assessment tools adapted and validated for its population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and update recommendations for cognitive, functional, and behavioral assessment tools for diagnosing dementia due to AD in Brazil.
- To provide an evidence-based selection of validated tests and batteries for the Brazilian context.
- To guide clinicians in choosing appropriate assessment instruments based on cognitive domain and functional status.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, LILACS, and SCIELO databases.
- Expert panels analyzed studies on the validation and adaptation of tests for the Brazilian population.
- Studies were classified according to their level of evidence to support recommendations.
Main Results:
- Recommended scales for instrumental activities of daily living include IQCODE, DAFS-R, DAD, ADL-Q, and Bayer scale; Katz scale for basic activities of daily living.
- Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), CAMDEX, and Cornell scale for depression in dementia are useful for evaluating neuropsychiatric symptoms.
- Mini-Mental State Examination is recommended for screening; multifunctional batteries (CAMCOG-R, ADAS-COG, CERAD, MDRS) for brief cognitive evaluations; CDR scale for clinical and severity assessment.
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports the use of specific, validated assessment tools for diagnosing dementia due to AD in Brazil.
- Recommendations cover a range of assessments, from basic and instrumental daily living activities to cognitive domains and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
- The review provides a practical guide for Brazilian clinicians to select appropriate diagnostic and severity assessment tools for Alzheimer's disease dementia.
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