Neurodegeneration

Given the aging population of the developed world, and the increasing survival rates from traditional diseases such as cancer, the numbers of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases is increasing. Not only do these diseases inflict pain and emotional toil on their sufferers and their families, they also require years of costly health care Many of the neurodegenerative diseases have been considered within more traditional domains of neurology, such as movement disorders or behavioral neurology. However, there is increasing recognition that this symptom-based classification does not correspond to underlying pathologies for which evidence of similarity is emerging. This book draws together clinical and research information on neurodegenerative diseases, beginning with the common elements before treating each disease individually using a standard template. Uniquely diseases will be grouped by anatomical regions of degeneration - which are largely but not exclusively related to symptomatic considerations. General chapter topics cover what can be considered normal aging versus neurodegenerative diseases, and discuss the initial indications of neurodegeneration progression of symptoms. Diagnostic guidelines include how to apply cognitive examinations, movement examinations, and lab and imaging investigations to reach a diagnosis - an often very complex process in neurodegenerative disease. Also discussed are patient health care issues, and the effect on carers and families, and palliative and end-of-life care. Key Features Presents a clinically oriented guide to the diseases caused by neurodegeneration Includes templated chapters with helpful pedagogy Groups diseases by anatomical regions of degeneration, including common disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease, and multiple sclerosis as well as less common diseases Offers expert advice from globally leading authorities on the subject   This book will be of use to neurologists, and will be of interest to neuropsychiatrists who deal with psychiatric aspects of neurological disease. It will also be relevant to neuroscientists who need to know more of the clinical aspects of the conditions they are working on.