Alzheimer's disease. A psychiatrist's perspective.

Alzheimer's disease is a catastrophic disease for both the patient and family with medical, psychologic, and social ramifications. The psychiatrist can function as the primary clinician, team leader, or consultant in the effort to manage the process of diagnosis and treatment through the months and years of progressive deterioration of the patient. Psychiatrists consult and collaborate with neurologists, internists, and other medical specialists and participate with nurses, social workers, dietitians, and physical therapists in the care of patients with AD and their families. Although the present state of treatment is limited to palliative therapies, basic and clinical psychiatric research is directed at the quest for etiologies and definitive treatments.