Oxford American Neurology Library – serie

The number of patients with dementia is rising in proportion to the aging of our population; therefore, by 2050 the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease is expected to triple, risking the integrity of the entire U.S. healthcare economy. More NIH dollars are spent on Alzheimer's disease research than on any other neurological disease and our available fund of information has commensurately accelerated. Whereas 30 years ago little distinction was made between different forms of dementia, clinicians now distinguish multiple degenerative and vascular syndromes, each with their own etiologic, therapeutic and prognostic implications. New genetic insights reach the popular press on a regular basis. Consequently Alzheimer's disease (and related disorders) has become a special concern to the majority of the population whose main avenue of care lies with the primary care physician.The primary care physician (general internist, family practitioner, nurse practitioner), geriatrician, and geriatric psychiatrist are the target audiences for this book; in short anyone who is not a neurological expert who provides dementia-related care. As the primary care physician is the target audience for this title, the volume begins with a discusion of how to produce an effective diagnosis through a series of precise, easy- to- follow steps. Additional sections detail the current research state of each of the major individual dementia diseases that the general clinician frequently encounters. The last section procides a clinically focused 'how to' guide for treatment including symptom-directed pharmacotherapy, as well as an up-to-date summary of ongoing major therapeutic trials and an assessment non-pharmacological management issues such as driving and end-of- life considerations. Aiming to be clear, consice and practical, this volume provides the essential information in dementia related care, from disease diagnosis to symptom management. Because it uses the most up-to-date dementia research available, this volume will become a close companion of the primary care physician, who seeks direct answers to the common questions and issues that arise in the diagnosis and management of patients with dementia.

Over 42 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with movement disorders, diseases which adversely affect individuals' ease of movement and, in turn, their quality of life. In the last several years, the medical community has seen a substantial increase in the public's awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. While a number of publications exist on specific disorders, this book is designed as a concise yet comprehensive reference on all major movement disorders. Targeted toward neurologists and primary care physicians on the frontlines of care, this practical, clinically-focused volume will also benefit neurology residents and internists with its up-to-date information on diagnosis and treatment options. Providing a symptom-based approach and a simple, logical method for developing treatment plans, this volume is guaranteed to serve as a valuable resource for any physician treating patients with movement disorders.Part of the Oxford American Neurology Library, this highly practical guide covers current approaches and new developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of movement disorders, including tremor, Parkinsonism, dystonia, chorea, tic, RLS, myoclonus, and many other common movement disorders. The volume addresses the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and monitoring of movement disorders. In addition to providing up-to-date information on pharmacological therapies, the book also describes other options for treatment, including surgical management and non-pharmacological therapies.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, often progressive, and potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system. Onset of disease is usually between the ages of 15 and 50, with the incidence nearly twice as high in women. While the cause of MS is still unknown, the predominant theory is that it is an autoimmune disease, triggered by an unknown environmental factor that results in both loss of central nervous system myelin and degeneration of axons and neurons. Although there have been a number of publications addressing different aspects of MS treatment in the neurological literature, there is a dearth of material on MS designed for internists and primary care physicians, who are often the first to see patients presenting with symptoms of MS. Therefore, this concise, clinically focused volume will serve as a valuable resource tailored to the specific needs of internists and primary care physicians. Part of the Oxford Neurology Library, this highly practical pocketbook covers current approaches and new developments in the diagnosis, treatment and management of MS, including both early and advanced stages of the disease. The book offers in-depth coverage of special populations, as well as the more unusual manifestations of MS, which are less familiar to the internal medicine audience. It will also address the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of MS. In addition to providing up-to-date information on pharmacological therapies for MS, the book also describes an array of non-pharmacological treatment options.