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  • Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Free, confidential support and information for people with dementia, caregivers, families and the public. Master's-level clinicians. Also Spanish.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 24/7 Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. For anyone in emotional distress or a mental-health crisis, including caregivers.
  • Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) Helpline 866-232-8484 9:00 am - 9:00 pm ET, seven days a week Licensed social workers providing support, info and referrals. Also text message and web chat. Text: 646-586-5283

In a medical emergency, call 911. More numbers, and what each line does, on the help page.

Each study has a usefulness score out of 100 (rubric version 4.0). Tap a score to see what makes it up.

Highest usefulness score first. Studies without a score come last.

  1. Instrumental activities of daily living as a screening tool for cognitive impairment and dementia in elderly community dwellers

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 1992-11-01 Getting a diagnosis

    The four IADL score could be incorporated into the screening procedure for dementia in elderly community dwellers.

    Why it matters

    This community survey found that four Instrumental Activities of Daily Living items were correlated with cognitive impairment independent of age, sex and education, and assessed the performance of an IADL score for screening. It concerns screening for cognitive impairment and dementia, not treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

  2. Development and validation of a model for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology 1991-11-01 Getting a diagnosis

    In a preliminary effort to improve the early diagnosis of dementia, we developed a regression-based method for estimating premorbid intelligence measured by the ability to read irregular words from the American version of the Nelson Adult Reading Test (AMNART).

    Why it matters

    This paper developed a regression-based method for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly using errors on the American version of the Nelson Adult Reading Test and years of education. The model estimated premorbid IQ in mildly demented subjects that exceeded current IQ by at least 10 points and did not differ from that of nondemented subjects.

  3. Performance of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) as a screening test for dementia

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Psychological medicine 1991-08-01 Cognitive tests and assessment

    A 26-item informant questionnaire (IQCODE) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were compared as screening tests for dementia in a sample of 69 patients.

    Why it matters

    This study compared a 26-item informant questionnaire (IQCODE) with the Mini-Mental State Examination as screening tests for dementia in 69 patients. It is about screening for dementia, not about treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

  4. Estimated prevalence of dementia among elderly black and white community residents

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Archives of neurology 1991-06-01 Disparities

    A stratified random sample of 83 black and 81 white community residents aged 65 years and older in a five-county area in the Piedmont region of North Carolina was evaluated for dementia, using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke--Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria.

    Why it matters

    This study estimated dementia prevalence in a small sample of black and white community residents, finding higher rates among blacks. It describes prevalence patterns only and does not test any treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.

  5. Differential diagnosis and classification of apathy

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. The American journal of psychiatry 1990-01-01 Getting a diagnosis

    This paper discusses the definition of apathy, reviews its differential diagnosis, and proposes a classification for the conditions that may produce it.

    Why it matters

    This paper defines apathy, reviews its differential diagnosis and proposes a classification. It is a conceptual paper and does not test any treatment, cure or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.

  6. Comparing the Areas under Two or More Correlated Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves: A Nonparametric Approach

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Biometrics 1988-09-01 Cognitive tests and assessment

    When a test is based on an observed variable that lies on a continuous or graded scale, an assessment of the overall value of the test can be made through the use of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

    Why it matters

    Presents a statistical method for comparing the areas under two or more receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves when tests are performed on the same individuals, a way to compare how well diagnostic tests perform. It is a general statistics paper, not about Alzheimer's.

  7. Cornell scale for depression in dementia

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Biological Psychiatry 1988-02-01 Cognitive tests and assessment

    The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia is introduced.

    Why it matters

    Introduces the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, a 19-item scale a clinician completes using interviews with both the patient and a nursing staff member. The authors report good agreement between raters and good internal consistency. It is a measuring tool and does not itself treat depression or dementia.

  8. The prevalence of dementia: a quantitative integration of the literature

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica 1987-11-01 How common it is

    Data from studies of dementia prevalence between 1945 to 1985 were analyzed statistically.

    Why it matters

    Pooling studies of dementia prevalence from 1945 to 1985, this 1987 review found that reported rates differed with each study's methods, but the rise with age was consistent, with rates "doubling every 5.1 years." Alzheimer's disease was more common in women, while multi-infarct (stroke-related) dementia tended to be more common in men, and the balance between the two differed between countries. It describes how common dementia was in those older studies. It does not give current figures, personal risk or causes, and says nothing about treatment or prevention.

  9. A new method of classifying prognostic comorbidity in longitudinal studies: Development and validation

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Journal of Chronic Diseases 1987 Cognitive tests and assessment

    This study developed and validated a weighted index to classify comorbid conditions and estimate the risk of mortality for use in longitudinal studies.

    Why it matters

    Describes the development and validation of a new method for classifying prognostic comorbidity (other illnesses a person has) in longitudinal studies.

  10. 9/Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Clinical Gerontologist 1986-11-18 Cognitive tests and assessment

    Why it matters

    Describes the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), a scale for depression in older adults.

  11. Hospice approach to the treatment of patients with advanced dementia of the Alzheimer type

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. JAMA 1986-10-01 End-of-life care

    A program that limits the extent of medical treatment in patients with advanced dementia of the Alzheimer type was initiated on an intermediate medical ward.

  12. Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Annals of neurology 1983-11-01 Getting a diagnosis

    The prevalence of severe dementia in the United States is about 1.3 million cases, of which at least 50 to 60% are of the Alzheimer type.

    Why it matters

    This older review describes the prevalence, diagnosis and brain changes of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, including plaques and tangles and reduced cerebral blood flow. It is descriptive background and does not report a treatment, cure or prevention.

  13. A comparison of clinical features in early- and late-onset primary degenerative dementia. One entity or two?

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Archives of neurology 1983-03-01 Brain tissue and pathology

    The prevalence of a number of clinical features occurring in patients with early- (before age 65) and late-onset primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type (PDDAT) are compared.

    Why it matters

    In 65 patients with Alzheimer-type dementia, those whose symptoms began before age 65 had more language problems, a disproportionate number of left-handers and a much shorter relative survival than those with later onset. The authors read this as a sign that the disease may vary between patients, and they suggest the left side of the brain may be more vulnerable in early-onset cases. Both points are put forward as possibilities rather than proven, and the study reports no treatment, cure or prevention.

  14. Depression, intellectual impairment, and Parkinson disease

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Neurology 1981-06-01 How common it is

    To determine the prevalence of depression in Parkinson disease (PD) we evaluated 55 consecutive patients without dementia and 31 of their spouses.

    Why it matters

    This study found that depression was common in patients with Parkinson disease without dementia and was correlated with mild intellectual impairment. It concerns depression and cognition in Parkinson disease and does not test any treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.

  15. Validity of the Trail Making Test as an Indicator of Organic Brain Damage

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 48 out of 100. Perceptual and Motor Skills 1958-12-01 Cognitive tests and assessment

    Why it matters

    Examines whether the Trail Making Test is a valid indicator of organic brain damage. The subject is how well a cognitive test performs, not how to treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease.

  16. Dementia Diagnosis Underreporting and Care Engagement and Planning Among Older Adults

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. JAMA Network Open 2026-08-26 Health systems and care delivery

    Among 6158 person-waves with a claims-based dementia diagnosis from 3278 PWPD (3134 [50.9%] aged 65-84 years; 4282 [69.5%] female; 1176 [19.1%] non-Hispanic Black, 617 [10.0%] Hispanic, and 4256 [69.1%] non-Hispanic White), the adjusted proportion not reporting their diagnosis was 42% (95% CI, 40%-43%) among all respondents and 67% (95% CI, 64%-69%) among self-respondents.

    Why it matters

    Among people with a claims-based dementia diagnosis, 42% did not report their diagnosis, far more than for other conditions, and underreporting was linked to less postdiagnosis care engagement such as problem-based visits and influenza vaccination. This concerns diagnosis awareness and care follow-through, not treating, curing or preventing the disease.

  17. End-of-life care in elderly patients with serious advanced illness sits at the intersection of patient autonomy, family involvement, clinical judgment, and resource allocation.

    Why it matters

    This 24-month cohort study of 358 elderly patients with serious advanced illness found that comprehensive advance care planning was linked to fewer ICU deaths and more preference-concordant care. It concerns end-of-life care planning, not treating, curing or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

  18. The oscillatory biology of sleep: Linkage to dementia

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. Science 2026-05-21 Risk factors

    During wakefulness, neuromodulators operate largely independently to support behavior and cognition.

    Why it matters

    This paper proposes that a sleep brain rhythm involving synchronized neuromodulator fluctuations helps clear metabolic waste such as amyloid-beta and tau, and that disrupting it may raise dementia risk. This is a proposed mechanism, not a tested treatment or prevention strategy.

  19. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive status in older Italian adults

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. Frontiers in Nutrition 2026-04-29 Prevention trials

    MCI patients showed significantly reduced plasma levels of TGF-β1 and increased TNF-α concentrations compared to other participants.

    Why it matters

    In this cross-sectional study of older Italian adults, greater Mediterranean diet adherence was linked to lower likelihood of mild cognitive impairment, and this link appeared partly explained by inflammatory biomarkers. The study supports dietary modulation in prevention strategies, but its design cannot prove cause and effect.

  20. Schizophrenia and dementia across the lifespan: epidemiological links, cognitive trajectories, and the pathophysiological interplay

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. Frontiers in Neurology 2026-04-07 Cognitive tests and assessment

    Epidemiological studies consistently indicate a two- to threefold increased risk of dementia among individuals with schizophrenia, although estimates vary due to diagnostic and ascertainment biases.

    Why it matters

    This review found that people with schizophrenia have a two- to threefold increased risk of dementia, but evidence does not support a uniform progression toward Alzheimer-type neurodegeneration. Dementia risk in schizophrenia likely reflects lifelong neurodevelopmental vulnerability combined with aging-related and modifiable factors.

  21. National trends in the prevalence of dementia in Medicare Advantage and Traditional Medicare

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. BMC Health Services Research 2026-03-06 Health systems and care delivery

    Among TM enrollees, prevalence of dementia was lower by 4% points in 2014 (9.0%, 95%CI: 7.8%, 9.3%) compared to 2000 (13.0%, 95%CI: 12%, 14%).

    Why it matters

    This study compared dementia prevalence trends between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage enrollees from 2000 to 2014. It is about how many people are diagnosed and in which insurance program, not about treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

  22. Mapping social health and dementia risk: A register-based study of older adults in Finland

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. Social Science & Medicine 2026-03-05 Risk factors

    This study investigates the role of individual and area-level social health factors in shaping geographic variation in dementia incidence among older adults in Finland.

    Why it matters

    Using nationwide register data on 185,712 older adults in Finland, geographic clusters of excess dementia incidence were identified, with the highest risk cluster showing 36% higher incidence than the rest of the country before adjustment, and some clusters persisting after balancing individual characteristics. The study is about social health and geographic variation in dementia incidence, not about treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

  23. Co-designing a framework to communicate patient-centred outcomes in palliative care: involving patients and the public to reframe understanding

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes 2026-02-21 End-of-life care

    Eighteen members of the public-including patients, carers, and individuals with lived experience of both roles-along with two local board members and one representative from a statutory health and social care body, participated and were actively involved in developing the framework and co-producing outputs through structured small-group discussions.

    Why it matters

    This co-design study with 18 members of the public developed a framework to communicate patient-centred outcomes in palliative care using clear, accessible formats such as short films and infographics. It found that communication of patient-centred outcomes and Patient-Reported outcome evidence can be strengthened through meaningful patient and public involvement.

  24. Health of Bi+ Dementia Caregivers: Moderation Effects of Minority and Caregiving Stress

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias® 2026-02-01 Disparities

    Despite comprising the largest segment of the sexual minority population and experiencing unique stressors and health disparities, bi+ dementia caregivers remain underrepresented in health and caregiving research.

    Why it matters

    This survey of LGBTQ+ dementia caregivers found that bi+ caregivers reported higher minority stress and lower family quality of life but better health than gay or lesbian caregivers. Higher perceived stress predicted worse health for bi+ caregivers but better health for gay or lesbian caregivers, highlighting the need for inclusive interventions.

  25. Additional hospitalization costs associated with delirium among older adults: evidence from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey

    ✓ Peer-reviewed alzhub usefulness score 47 out of 100. Frontiers in Public Health 2026-01-28 Clinical safety

    In a sample of 2,599 Medicare beneficiaries (mean age 78.4 years, 52.9% female, 81.8% White), we identified a total of 5,677 hospitalization claims.

    Why it matters

    This study found that delirium during hospitalization was associated with higher hospital charges and Medicare payments among older adults. Because delirium is considered a modifiable risk factor for dementia, the authors suggest these costs may be preventable, but they call for more research on the economic impact of delirium prevention.

From across this topic

10 of the 7,967 studies in this topic, picked by a fixed rule (a hash of each study's address), not by score or date; each page of this list shows a different 10. The same 10 appear here every time.

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