It is the most common cause of dementia, affecting memory, language, thinking, and behavior of an individual in middle or older age groups. The pathological conditions reveal plaque formations and tangles which progressively affects the individual’s daily living activities.
Published in Chapter:
Assessment of Cognitive-Communicative Functions in Persons With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia of Alzheimer's Type
Reuben Thomas Varghese (All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, India) and S. P. Goswami (All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, India)
Copyright: © 2018
|Pages: 14
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-4955-0.ch014
Abstract
According to world population prospects data report, older individuals, especially those aged 60 years and above, have increased substantially over the recent year, which is going to accelerate in the coming decades. The most common problems the aging population faces are dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Assessment of cognitive-communicative markers is essential for persons with MCI and DAT. Furthermore, it can help in the differential diagnosis of DAT and MCI. Proper assessment by speech-language pathologists is warranted in this area as it will throw light on the differential diagnosis of MCI and DAT, the clinical description of the characteristics between the two clinical groups, the prognosis for improved outcomes, recommendations for intervention and support, and referral for other professionals for assessments or services.