Dementia is a growing public health problem that affects over 30 million people worldwide – a figure predicted to double by 2030, according to the World Health Organization. Providing quality care for this population is an issue that health care authorities all around the world are facing.

Evidence-based practice recommendations can aid physicians in diagnosing and managing dementia, which can be difficult and time-consuming. Having useable guidelines can ultimately result in better care for patients.

Members of the 4^th加拿大共识会议审查了可用的证据，以达成有关该领域全球科学家的最终建议的共识。新补充published inAlzheimer’s Research & Therapycontains free-to-access background papers that support each recommendation made by the group.

在introductory article, Supplement Editor Serge Gauthier explains each topic that was examined, which includes:

Neuroimaging
神经成像小组从事comprehensive reviewof existing and developing technologies. Despite the extremely promising nature of amyloid imaging, the group advised against widespread clinical adoption of this modality until its role in diagnosis and prognosis can be more fully understood. Its use in cognitively normal individuals is particularly fraught with ethical and practical hazards.Recommendationsabout directions for future research in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (functional MRI, MR spectroscopy etc.) and amyloid imaging is also explained.

Diagnostic criteria
近年来，已提出了痴呆症和前驱状况的诊断标准的许多变化。这definitions group recommendedthe adoption of the diagnostic criteria of the National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer’s Association (NIA/AA) Working group for dementia, probable and possible Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment due to AD.

这rapeutics
这pharmacology group reported that while there have been no new cognitive enhancing pharmacological agents approved for use since the last consensus conference in 2007, the role of cholinesterase inhibitors in severe AD and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease is now established. Recognizing the increased incidence of strokes and all cause mortality associated with antipsychotic medications in people with dementia,recommendations are madebased on the balance of risks and benefits to the individual or others.

Knowledge translation
Despite the expanding need for physicians to have access to usable evidence-based practice recommendations, Knowledge Translation (KT) is often seen as a daunting, if not confusing, undertaking for researchers.这KT group offer a brief introductionto the processes around KT including terms and definitions, and outline some common KT frameworks including the Knowledge to Action Cycle, and the PARiHS and CFIR frameworks. Practical steps are also outlines for planning and executing a KT strategy, particularly around the implementation of recommendations for practice.

Early onset dementia
与晚期发作痴呆相比，早期发作痴呆症组（EOD）组建议对EOD进行更广泛的鉴别诊断，因为诊断的延迟很常见，并且会增加社会影响，需要特殊护理团队。EOD综合征的基础病因应考虑家族病史和合并症，例如脑血管危险因素，可能会影响发作时的临床表现和年龄。根据发作，临床表现和合并症的年龄，应考虑一种“个性化医学”诊断方法。该背景文件将在supplement不久。

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