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The dementias
Ritchie K, Lovestone S.. Lancet (London, England), 2002-11-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Dementia affects about 5% of the elderly population over age 65 years and has an unexplained predominance in women and a low rate in some cultures. Different forms of dementia are now distinguished-Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia secondary to disease, such as AIDS dementia. However, such nosological boundaries are being re-evaluated because different dementias are believed to have common underlying neuropathology. Neurochemical and neurobiological research has led to advances in understanding causes of dementia, and functional imaging has allowed identification of possible biomarkers; from these, a range of potential treatment approaches have arisen that focus on enhancement of neurotransmitter function, intervention at the level of amyloid production and deposition, and reduction of secondary risk factors such as hypertension, depression, and hypolipidaemia. Molecular diagnostic testing and genetic counselling for families with autosomal dominant early-onset dementia are new developments; however, this approach is not useful for late-onset dementia, in which the identified candidate susceptibility genes have a relatively small effect on risk. While fundamental research works towards new biological treatment strategies, much remains to be done in the area of disease management and the development of appropriate models of long-term care.
Key findings
- Different forms of dementia are now distinguished-Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, and dementia secondary to disease, such as AIDS dementia.
- However, such nosological boundaries are being re-evaluated because different dementias are believed to have common underlying neuropathology.
- Neurochemical and neurobiological research has led to advances in understanding causes of dementia, and functional imaging has allowed identification of possible biomarkers; from these, a range of potential treatment approaches have arisen that focus on enhancement of neurotransmitter function, intervention at the level of amyloid production and deposition, and reduction of secondary risk factors such as hypertension, depression, and hypolipidaemia.
- Molecular diagnostic testing and genetic counselling for families with autosomal dominant early-onset dementia are new developments; however, this approach is not useful for late-onset dementia, in which the identified candidate susceptibility genes have a relatively small effect on risk.
- While fundamental research works towards new biological treatment strategies, much remains to be done in the area of disease management and the development of appropriate models of long-term care.
Why it matters
This overview describes the different forms of dementia and notes that research has led to potential treatment approaches targeting neurotransmitter function, amyloid production and deposition, and secondary risk factors. It is a general review, not a study showing that any specific approach treats, cures, or prevents Alzheimer's disease.
New to this subject? Start with our plain-English guide: Risk factors, ranked →
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 52/100
Published in a top-tier 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 | 10 / 10 | Tier 1 — top-tier general journal (Lancet (London, England)) |
| Journal's citation record | 4 / 4 | The Lancet: journal h-index 1,205 (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 | 2002 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| 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 | 6 / 7 | Cited 387 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 14.9 citations a year over 26 year(s) since 2002 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 11.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 19 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 34 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Simon Lovestone: h-index 118 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Inserm: institution h-index 1,988 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 12480441) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 52 / 100 | — |
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Ritchie, K., & Lovestone, S. (2002). The dementias. Lancet (London, England). https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11667-9
Vancouver
Ritchie K, Lovestone S. The dementias. Lancet (London, England). 2002. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11667-9. PMID: 12480441.
BibTeX
@article{ritchie2002-12480441,
author = {Ritchie, K. and Lovestone, S.},
title = {{The dementias}},
journal = {Lancet (London, England)},
year = {2002},
doi = {10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11667-9},
pmid = {12480441},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11667-9}
}
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