Dementia and Alzheimer's disease: resources in Oklahoma.
Senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease (often considered a single process) rank as the fourth most common cause of death in the United States and outrank in cost to the nation the three leading causes of death combined. Autopsy studies of patients with the clinical diagnosis of dementia have clearly shown that a wide variety of pathological conditions can produce clinically similar symptomatology. In order to address the many possible causes and treatments of these various forms of dementia, the Alzheimer's Association (formerly known as the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association), the Oklahoma Autopsy Assistance Network at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and The Alzheimer's Foundation (also known as the Familial Alzheimer's Disease Research Foundation) have begun a concerted effort to develop a regional network which can aid patients and their relatives in the diagnosis and management of dementia. Awareness of these organizations by all physicians will help in the development and dissemination of the newer and more specific treatments to patients (and their relatives) with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in Oklahoma.
Leech
R W
RW
Section of Neuropathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City 73190.
Carella
J
J
Miner
G D
GD
Brumback
R A
RA
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012944:Social Support; D012955:Societies, Medical