This consensus prepared by the Scientific Department of Cognitive Neurology and
Aging of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology is aimed at recommending new
criteria for the diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Brazil. A
revision was performed of the proposals of clinical and of research criteria
suggested by other institutions and international consensuses. The new proposal
for the diagnosis of dementia does not necessarily require memory impairment if
the cognitive or behavioral compromise affects at least two of the following
domains: memory, executive function, speech, visual-spatial ability and change
in personality. For the purpose of diagnosis, AD is divided into three phases:
dementia, mild cognitive impairment and pre-clinical phase, where the latter
only applies to clinical research. In the dementia picture, other initial forms
were accepted which do not involve amnesia and require a neuroimaging
examination. Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers are recommended for study, but can
be utilized as optional instruments, when deemed appropriate by the
clinician.