Utility of the apoplipoprotein E genotype in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
Article Abstract:
Testing people for the apolipoprotein E (APOE) epsilon 4 gene is not accurate enough by itself to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. Several studies have linked this gene to the disease. Researchers calculated the accuracy of a positive test for APOE epsilon 4 in 2,188 patients with dementia. A total of 1,833 had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease based on a medical examination and the diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy in 1,770. The medical exam was 93% accurate in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease compared to an accuracy of 65% for APOE epsilon 4 testing alone.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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Predicting time to nursing home care and death in individuals with Alzheimer disease
Article Abstract:
An algorithm has been developed to predict the time a patient with Alzheimer's disease will need to be admitted to a nursing home and the time to death. It consists of tables that allow scores for different predictors to be added up. The predictors include age at onset, length of illness and presence of symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, gait disorders, delusions and hallucinations. The algorithm will give the number of months until nursing home placement and death. The algorithm accurately predicted outcomes in a validation sample.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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Low- Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and the Risk of Dementia With Stroke
Article Abstract:
High blood cholesterol levels may be associated with an increased risk of dementia and stroke in the elderly. Researchers evaluated 1,111 nondemented people aged 75 for about 2 years. Dementia developed in 26% of the research participants, likely caused by stroke in 21% and Alzheimer's disease in 79% of the patients with dementia. Research patients with the highest levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol had three times the risk of dementia with stroke as those with the lowest blood levels of LDL cholesterol.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1999
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