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Epidemiology of Alzheimer disease
Reitz C, Brayne C, Mayeux R.. Nature reviews. Neurology, 2011-02-08
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
The global prevalence of dementia is estimated to be as high as 24 million, and is predicted to double every 20 years through to 2040, leading to a costly burden of disease. Alzheimer disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function, which typically begins with deterioration in memory. Before death, individuals with this disorder have usually become dependent on caregivers. The neuropathological hallmarks of the AD brain are diffuse and neuritic extracellular amyloid plaques-which are frequently surrounded by dystrophic neurites-and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. These hallmark pathologies are often accompanied by the presence of reactive microgliosis and the loss of neurons, white matter and synapses. The etiological mechanisms underlying the neuropathological changes in AD remain unclear, but are probably affected by both environmental and genetic factors. Here, we provide an overview of the criteria used in the diagnosis of AD, highlighting how this disease is related to, but distinct from, normal aging. We also summarize current information relating to AD prevalence, incidence and risk factors, and review the biomarkers that may be used for risk assessment and in diagnosis.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Reitz, C., Brayne, C., & Mayeux, R. (2011). Epidemiology of Alzheimer disease. Nature reviews. Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2011.2
Vancouver
Reitz C, Brayne C, Mayeux R. Epidemiology of Alzheimer disease. Nature reviews. Neurology. 2011. doi:10.1038/nrneurol.2011.2. PMID: 21304480.
BibTeX
@article{reitz2011-21304480,
author = {Reitz, C. and Brayne, C. and Mayeux, R.},
title = {{Epidemiology of Alzheimer disease}},
journal = {Nature reviews. Neurology},
year = {2011},
doi = {10.1038/nrneurol.2011.2},
pmid = {21304480},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2011.2}
}
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Key findings
- The neuropathological hallmarks of the AD brain are diffuse and neuritic extracellular amyloid plaques-which are frequently surrounded by dystrophic neurites-and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.
- These hallmark pathologies are often accompanied by the presence of reactive microgliosis and the loss of neurons, white matter and synapses.
- The etiological mechanisms underlying the neuropathological changes in AD remain unclear, but are probably affected by both environmental and genetic factors.
- Here, we provide an overview of the criteria used in the diagnosis of AD, highlighting how this disease is related to, but distinct from, normal aging.
- We also summarize current information relating to AD prevalence, incidence and risk factors, and review the biomarkers that may be used for risk assessment and in diagnosis.
Why it matters
A 2011 narrative review, not a new study, that gives an overview of how Alzheimer's is diagnosed, how common it is, its risk factors and possible biomarkers. It quotes an estimate that dementia affects "as high as 24 million" people worldwide, a number "predicted to double every 20 years through to 2040", and describes plaques and tangles as the disease's brain hallmarks, while stating that their underlying causes "remain unclear". It reports no new data and tests no treatment; the specific criteria, risk factors and biomarkers it reviews are not given in this record.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 54/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Nature reviews. Neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Nature Reviews Neurology: journal h-index 269 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2011 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 7 / 7 | Cited 1,648 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 5 / 5 | 96.9 citations a year over 17 year(s) since 2011 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 14.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 4 / 6 | Cited by 60 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 198 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Richard P Mayeux: h-index 158 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Cambridge: institution h-index 1,973 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 21304480) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 54 / 100 | — |
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