DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE IN A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL-BASED BRAIN BANK PROGRAM

Several studies in recent years have addressed the accuracy of the cli nical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), However, most large studi es have been done in university centers specializing in dementia. The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dementi a in a community-based brain bank program, using data from tile Centra l Florida component of the State of Florida's Brain Bank Program, Sinc e 1987, 261 cases of dementia have been assessed at autopsy, and the c linical and pathologic diagnoses were compared. Of 234 patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD, 181 (77%) had a pathologic diagnosis of AD, with or without other contributing disorders. Of 27 patients with a c linical diagnosis of non-AD dementia, 14 (52%) had a pathologic diagno sis of AD, with or without other contributing diagnoses. These finding s are similar to those previously reported and emphasize the importanc e of autopsy for the accurate diagnosis of dementia for genetic counse ling, assessment of diagnostic techniques or drug therapy, and epidemi ologic studies.