Consensus criteria on diagnosis in patients with dementia

At present, there is no valid diagnostic system that can be used for the di agnosis of dementia and its underlying causes. The consensus criteria of th e German Association of Medical Practicioners, the Canadian Medical Associa tion and the European Federation of Medical Societies are described. While the detection of the presence of dementia and the differential diagnosis to wards depression seem relatively easy, there are considerable difficulties in the differential diagnosis among the dementias and in early diagnosis. I t is deemed necessary to relate the various diagnostic consensus criteria t owards each other and establish consensus for differential diagnosis. CSF a nalysis and new MR techniques may allow a positive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in the near future.