Age‐associated memory impairment: The clinical syndrome

Abstract

Clinical concepts of age‐associated memory impairment (AAMI) have inevitably been linked to distinctions between this entity and progressive dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Kral was perhaps the first modern clinician to attempt to delineate these distinctions. More recently, Folstein has suggested mental status boundaries between AAMI and progressive dementia, including AD. We have delineated clinically distinguishable stages of progressive cognitive impairment in AAMI and in AD. Present longitudinal investigations suggest clinical and mental status boundaries between these conditions.

Cumulatively, these studies indicate that relatively precise clinical criteria for a diagnosis of AAMI and for a definition of boundaries between AAMI and AD can presently be formulated for the selection of appropriate study populations.