치매 진단에서 포괄적 신경심리검사의 유용성

Usefulness of Comprehensive Neuropsychological Tests for Diagnosis of Dementia

Objectives : The rapid increase of elderly people with dementia poses a strategy for effective management of dementia. The recent progress in pharmacotherapy of dementia have overcome the past therapeutic nihilism, and gives the hope that dementia can be managed by early diagnosis and early intervention. Accordingly, the use of comprehensive neuropsychological test for early diagnosis is emphasized. Methods : In this study, we tried to evaluate the necessity and the usefulness of comprehensive neuropsychological tests in the diagnosis of dementia, by reviewing the guidelines for dementia, the researches about comprehensive neuropsychological tests, and by asking the experts about the necessity and the usefulness of comprehensive neuropsychological tests. Results : As a result we came to know that there are many tests which comprehensively covers the cognitive domains, and can be performed in relatively short time. The guidelines recommend that the use of comprehensive neuropsychological tests should be decided by the clinician. Many experts were the same opinion. Conclusion : There are many useful comprehensive neuropsychological tests, the use of which should be decided by the clinician.