Turning principles into practice in Alzheimer's disease

James Lindesay (1) , Roger Bullock (2) , Hugo Daniels (3) , Murat Emre (4) , Hans Förstl (5) , Lutz Frölich (6) , Tomasz Gabryelewicz (7) , Pablo Martínez-Lage (8) , Andreas Monsch (9) , Magda Tsolaki (10) , Teus van Laar (11)

1 Psychiatry for the Elderly
2 Kingshill Research Centre, Victoria Hospital
3 Memory Clinic, Department of Geriatrics
4 Department of Neurology, Behavioural Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine
5 Universität Heidelberg [Heidelberg] = Heidelberg University
6 Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim
7 Department of Neurodegenerative Disorders
8 Fundación Alzheimer Centre Educational
9 Memory Clinic, Department of Geriatrics
10 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
11 University Medical Centre

The prevalence of dementia is reaching epidemic proportions globally, but there remain a number of issues that prevent people with dementia, their families and caregivers, from taking control of their condition. In 2008, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) launched a Global Alzheimer's Disease Charter, which comprises six principles that underscore the urgency for a more ambitious approach to diagnosis, treatment and care. This review highlights some of the most important aspects and challenges of dementia diagnosis and treatment. These issues are reviewed in light of the six principles of the recent ADI Charter: promoting dementia awareness and understanding; respecting human rights; recognizing the key role of families and caregivers; providing access to health and social care; stressing the importance of optimal diagnosis and treatment; and preventing dementia through improvements in public health. The authors continue to hope that, one day, a cure for Alzheimer's disease will be found. Meanwhile, healthcare professionals need to unite in rising to the challenge of managing all cases of dementia, using the tools available to us now to work toward improved patient care.

Mots clés: Medicine

James Lindesay, Roger Bullock, Hugo Daniels, Murat Emre, Hans Förstl, et al.. Turning principles into practice in Alzheimer's disease. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2010, 64 (9), pp.1198. ⟨10.1111/j.1742-1241.2010.02417.x⟩. ⟨hal-00552658⟩