Multiconceptual therapy in Alzheimer's disease

Social and economical impact: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative de mentia raising major public health concern in industrialized countries. The consequences are not only medical but also social and economical. Perspect ives: it is thus important to establish diagnostic principles, therapeutic goals, and global strategies guiding the behavior of physicians, family and patients laced with this dreaded disease. Currently, only a few rare sympt omatic treatments are available, but research in this field points to poten tially effective preventive and etiopathogentic therapeutic protocols assoc iating drugs, social support, and psychotherapy. (C) 2000, Masson, Paris.