Is definition of Alzheimer’s disease changing? – Mayo Clinic

The National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association are suggesting changes to the research definition of Alzheimer’s disease. There are new criteria to define what Alzheimer’s disease is and who has it — but only as it relates to clinical trials and research, and not the diagnosis in your doctor’s office, according to Jonathan Graff-Radford, M.D. of the Mayo Clinic.

Previously, Alzheimer’s disease dementia was characterized by symptoms such as memory loss and changes in thinking and cognition. And that’s still the case when your doctor diagnoses Alzheimer’s disease dementia.