Early Alzheimer's Disease.

A 72-year-old man who is still managing investments at a brokerage firm seeks consultation at the urging of his wife for increasing difficulty with memory over the past 2 years. Clients have expressed concern about his occasional lapses in memory. His wife reports that he frequently repeats questions about social appointments and becomes angry when she points this out. The physical examination is normal, but the patient has difficulty remembering elements of a brief story and adding a small amount of change. He has a score of 28 out of 30 on the Mini - Mental State Examination, indicating slightly impaired cognitive function.1 Early Alzheimer's disease is suspected. How should the patient be further evaluated and treated? Copyright © 2010 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.