[Reflections on screening of neurological diseases]

Abstract

The concepts and significance of screening and case-finding in neurological diseases are briefly introduced. The utility of case-finding in dementia and Alzheimer fs disease in primary care and in older adults is analyzed. A literature review of this subject and the screening data of the NEDICES study are discussed. It is concluded that there is no trial about this subject. For this reason it is not possible to recommend for or against routine screening for dementia in older adults in primary care. With the available evidence many authors recommend screening for dementia in the elderly with cognitive and functional decline in primary care. The Parkinson disease case-finding in primary care is briefly discussed. Prospective studies to investigate the screening for neurological diseases in primary care are a research priority.