[Cognitive manifestations of Alzheimer's disease]

Cognitive features in dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) appear highly heterogeneous. Neuropsychological models seem useful to characterize the cognitive decline. Functional imaging may identify anatomoclinical correlations. Memory impairment is the major symptom in DAT, associated with cortical dysfunctions (aphasia, apraxia, agnosia) and deficits in executive functions. Various evolutive profiles increase this clinical heterogeneity. The use of standardized and validated psychometrical tools appears very important for diagnosis and follow-up of cognitive decline. The MMSE, for example, deserves to be included in the everyday clinical practice.