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The past 25 years have witnessed an explosion of scientific interest in Alzheimer's disease in particular and in dementing illnesses in general. In part, this upsurge of interest reflects the continued growth of the older age groups in the United States and other developed countries. It also reflects a growing appreciation of the enormous consequences of these afflicted individuals and their families. As a result, clinicians who do not specialize in dementia are faced with the daunting task of staying current with a geometrically expanding body of knowledge which as dramatically altered the landscape of the field in the past decade and which promises to become increasingly relevant to clinical practice in the decades to come. The distinguishing feature of Alzheimer's disease and the other disorders described in this volume is dementia, or global impairment of cognitive functions. This volume is intended as a bridge connecting leading behavioral neuroscientists investigating the dementias with practitioners responsible for the diagnosis and care of those afflicted. The aim of this volume, then, is to present the most current information on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in a format that is likely to be useful to practising neuropsychologists and other clinicians involved in caring for persons with global cognitive impairments. The volume consists of 22 chapters divided into four parts. Part I addresses the principal components of Alzheimer's disease, including chapters on its neuropscychological, behavioral, and neuroanatomic features and on the demarcation between Alzheimer's disease and normal aging. Part II details the neuropsychological features of other dementia syndromes which may be confused with Alzheimer's disease. These chapters are intended to provide the clinical, neurophysical, and epidemiological information pertinent to differential diagnosis. Specific issues regarding pathophysiology and managemanent are also addressed. Part III details recent developments in brain imaging as they relate to dementia. Part IV addresses psychosocial, pharmacological, and legal/ethical issues pertinent to the care of the persons with Alzheimers's disease. The volume wil be a useful guide and sourcebook for clinicians who face the considerable challenge of improving the quality of life of those afflicted with these devastating disorders.