consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD)

Function

to standardize evaluation & diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Advantages

• comprehensive, structured examination

Disadvantages

• lengthy

Procedure

Type: structured examination & interview.

components:

• clinical neuropsychology
• neuropathology
• behavior rating scale for dementia
• family history
• assessment of service needs

Number of items: variable

Time: variable

Notes

Includes forms of:

• Blessed dementia scale (BDS)
• Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D)
• modified mini mental status examination (MMSE)

components:

• verbal fluency
• word list memory
• constructional praxis
• word list recognition

A total CERAD incorporates medical history, physical & neurologic examinations & laboratory findings.

More general terms

• neuropsychologic testing

Additional terms

• Blessed dementia scale (BDS)
• consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease word list (CA-CWL)
• Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D)