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A Historical Perspective on Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis: From the Psychiatry Chair to the Laboratory

Clinical Thought
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This activity is available for 0.25 CME/CE credit(s).

Released: August 27, 2026

Expiration: August 26, 2027

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The evolution of our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease has led to dramatic changes in the diagnosis of this condition. What was originally a diagnosis made by psychiatric evaluation of patient- and family-reported symptoms and exclusion of medical etiologies has become a pathology-driven diagnosis with imaging and laboratory workup playing definitive roles alongside assessment of clinical signs and symptoms. Compare yesterday’s diagnostic tools with today's in this expert commentary.

AD Detection in Psychiatric Care

Pre Assessment

Assess your current knowledge and clinical approach before beginning your ClinicalThought.
1.

How many people with AD do you provide care for in a typical week?

2.

For those who practice in academic or community settings, please indicate your practice setting:

3.

You are evaluating a patient with clinical symptoms suggesting possible AD. Which of these test results would suggest a dementia with pathology OTHER THAN (or in addition to) AD?