David Brill
A new algorithm could help physicians to stratify elderly patients according to their risk of developing dementia.
The late-life dementia risk index was developed using data from 3,375 subjects with a mean age of 76. Just 4 percent of those classified as low risk developed dementia over 6 years, compared to 23 percent of moderate-risk and 56 percent of high-risk subjects.
"This new risk index … could be used to identify people at high risk for dementia for studies on new drugs or prevention methods,” said lead author Dr. Deborah Barnes, University of California, San Francisco, US. “The tool could also identify people who have no signs of dementia but should be monitored closely, allowing them to begin treatment as soon as possible." [Neurology 2009 May 13; Epub ahead of print]
The late-life dementia risk index was developed using data from 3,375 subjects with a mean age of 76. Just 4 percent of those classified as low risk developed dementia over 6 years, compared to 23 percent of moderate-risk and 56 percent of high-risk subjects.
"This new risk index … could be used to identify people at high risk for dementia for studies on new drugs or prevention methods,” said lead author Dr. Deborah Barnes, University of California, San Francisco, US. “The tool could also identify people who have no signs of dementia but should be monitored closely, allowing them to begin treatment as soon as possible." [Neurology 2009 May 13; Epub ahead of print]
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