"DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF DEMENTIA A MANUAL FOR MEMORY DISORDERS TEAMS"
Oxford University Press, New York, 1999
Edited by G.K. Wilcock, R.S. Bucks and K. Rockwood
Reviewed by Barry J. Goldlist, MD, FRCPC, FACP
Dementia, and Alzheimer's disease in particular, have become "hot" areas. After almost a century of therapeutic nihilism and clinical despair, we have now at least a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. Currently, modestly effective therapies are available for Alzheimer's Disease, and the future is promising. With growing understanding of AD, and with increasing expectations from patients and families, physicians will have to become better informed. This book is a manual on how to establish a multidisciplinary memory disorders service. One of the editors is the eminent Canadian Geriatrician, Ken Rockwood, from Dalhousie University. This book is superb. The important contributions from all disciplines, e.g. neurology, psychiatry, neuropsychology etc, are clearly explained. The first chapter by Beattie et al., is an excellent resource for those wishing to start their own clinic. Although not meant to be a clinical text, the sections on the diagnostic process are excellent summaries, and certainly highlight what a primary care physician should know about distinguishing the various dementias. Although primary care physicians are not the main targets of this book, they will get some practical information about diagnosing the common types of dementia, and a good understanding of the complexity of the diagnosis and management of dementing disorders. For those intending to establish a memory disorders team, this is a must read. For those already in the "memory business" there is still much practical information to be gleaned from this book.
