

156| Updated Diagnosis and Staging Criteria for Alzheimer’s Disease – A Conversation with Dr. Cliff Jack and Dr. Kevin Duff
13 snips Dec 1, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Kevin Duff, a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and Alzheimer’s researcher, and Dr. Clifford Jack, a leading expert in Alzheimer’s biology from Mayo Clinic, explore the latest updates in diagnosing and staging Alzheimer’s disease. They delve into the complexities of combining biological markers with cognitive assessments, the predictive validity of amyloid PET scans in asymptomatic individuals, and the evolving criteria for effective patient care. Their insights may reshape how we understand and approach Alzheimer's diagnostics, offering hope for future advancements.
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Defining Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's disease can be defined by its biology (abnormal protein aggregation) or as a clinical-pathological construct.
- The former views the disease as separate from the illness (symptoms), arguing the disease precedes symptoms.
Disease vs. Risk
- Asymptomatic individuals with abdominal aortic calcification are not considered 'at risk' for cardiovascular disease, but rather having the disease without symptoms.
- Similarly, asymptomatic individuals with low EGFR have chronic kidney disease, not just a risk for it.
Clinical Presentation and Biology
- Kevin Duff argues that medical conditions are typically diagnosed based on both clinical presentation and biological markers.
- He questions why this combined approach shouldn't be applied to Alzheimer's disease as well.