Alzheimer's disease: psychopathology, medical management and dental implications.
BACKGROUND
The authors review the clinical features, epidemiology, pathophysiology, medical management, dental findings and dental treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).


METHODS
The authors conducted MEDLINE searches for 2000 through 2005 using the terms "Alzheimer's disease," "geriatric," "epidemiology," "pathophysiology," "treatment" and "dentistry." Reports selected for further review included those published in English in peer-reviewed journals. The authors gave preference to articles reporting randomized, controlled trials.


RESULTS
AD is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive dysfunctions, particularly in learning and memory, and the emergence of behavioral abnormalities. Deficiencies in the cells responsible for storage and processing of information underlie the cognitive, functional and behavioral changes seen in patients with the disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
As the elderly population grows, increasing numbers of Americans with AD will require dental treatment. The prevalence of dental disease likely will be extensive, because of diminished salivary flow and patients' inability to perform appropriate oral hygiene techniques. Preventive dental education for the caregiver and use of saliva substitutes and anticaries agents by the patient are indicated.
Friedlander
Arthur H
AH
VA Greater Lost Angeles Healthcare System, Hospital Dental Service, University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, USA. arthur.friedlander@med.va.gov
Norman
Dean C
DC
Mahler
Michael E
ME
Norman
Keith M
KM
Yagiela
John A
JA
D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000379:methods*; D018450:Disease Progression; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents