Neuropsychological Tools for Dementia

Book excerpt: Neuropsychological Tools for Dementia: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment takes a unique approach by combining the neuroscientific background of neuropsychology, neuropsychological tools for diagnosis and disease staging, and neuropsychological treatment into one comprehensive book for researchers and clinicians. Sections present an introduction to neuropsychological assessment in dementias, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia (alpha-synucleinopathies), atypical Parkinson's diseases (tauopathies), language and behavioral variants of frontotemporal lobe degeneration, and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Each chapter elucidates the point that neuropsychological measures provide the tools to differentiate disease-specific impairments from normal age-related cognitive decline, and from other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, the book discusses the possibility of helping patients through neuropsychological intervention. Case studies aid in the reader's comprehension of the field, and two short guidelines for each disease's specific assessment and treatment prepare readers for handling real-life patients.