The Global Deterioration Scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia

Am J Psychiatry. 1982 Sep;139(9):1136-9. doi: 10.1176/ajp.139.9.1136.

Abstract

Cognitive decline associated with old age and consistent with the diagnosis of primary degenerative dementia is a unique clinical syndrome with characteristic phenomena and progression. The authors describe a Global Deterioration Scale for the assessment of primary degenerative dementia and delineation of its stages. The authors have used the Global Deterioration Scale successfully for more than 5 years and have validated it against behavioral, neuroanatomic, and neurophysiologic measures in patients with primary degenerative dementia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / classification
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis*
  • Alzheimer Disease / psychology
  • Cognition Disorders / classification
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Dementia / diagnosis*
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Humans
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychometrics