Duncan B A, Siegal A P
Department of Geriatric and Adult Psychiatry, Limited Liability Corporation, Hamden, Conn 06518, USA.
J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59 Suppl 9:15-21.
It is only recently that Alzheimer's disease has become recognized as a major public health concern. Not only those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are impacted by the disease; the emotional toll exacted on caregivers is enormous, and the financial costs incurred by the United States are staggering. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can prevent costly and inappropriate treatment and permits earlier treatment of symptoms. There have been several recent pharmacologic advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, including the development of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. For any intervention to prove successful, however, early and accurate diagnosis and effective disease management are crucial.
直到最近，阿尔茨海默病才被公认为一个重大的公共卫生问题。不仅被诊断出患有阿尔茨海默病的人会受到这种疾病的影响；照顾者所承受的情感代价是巨大的，而且美国为此承担的经济成本也高得惊人。阿尔茨海默病的早期诊断可以避免代价高昂且不恰当的治疗，并能更早地治疗症状。最近在阿尔茨海默病治疗方面取得了多项药理学进展，包括乙酰胆碱酯酶抑制剂的研发。然而，要使任何干预措施取得成功，早期准确的诊断和有效的疾病管理至关重要。
