title: [Assessment scales for Alzheimer's disease].
abstract: Comprehensive examination is required to make an accurate and effective diagnosis of dementia associated with Alzheimer disease. Cognitive tests and psychological scales are useful for the objectively evaluation of symptoms that may not be completely revealed by the patient's medical history. The pattern and degree of the cognitive symptoms differ between individuals. The methods for evaluating the cognitive abilities of Alzheimer's patients can be divided into 2 categories. The first consists of cognitive tests that examine a certain aspect of cognitive function. The second consists of behavioral assessments that evaluate overall patient behavior. Cognitive tests specifically assess the domain of cognitive function, but their scope may be too narrow. Memory and visuospatial ability tests are useful and important for assessing Alzheimer patients. Behavioral assessments can evaluate the general condition of the patients, but there is a possibility of observer bias. Since Alzheimer disease has a prolonged course and is characterized by general changes, the concomitant use of cognitive tests and behavioral assessments is important for long-term assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Showa University School of Medicine, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mutsutaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kobayakawa
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawamura
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D001519:Behavior; D003071:Cognition; D055253:Color Vision; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests