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Cross-national comparisons of the occurrence of Alzheimer's and vascular dementias

  • The Epidemiology of Dementia
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Summary

The relative occurrence of Alzheimer's and vascular dementias is examined in various countries using data of four types: incidence, prevalence, clinic and neuropathological studies. There is clear evidence that Alzheimer's demintia is more common than vascular dementia in Great Britain and North America and, to a lesser extent, in Scandinavia. The evidence from other countries with predominantly Caucasian populations is more limited, but also supports a predominance of Alzheimer's dementia. By contrast, the evidence from Japan generally shows that vascular dementia is more common. The more limited evidence available from China also supports a preponderance of vascular dementia. There is a need for studies directly comparing the occurrence of Alzheimer's dementia in Caucasian and Oriental populations.

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  1. NH & MRC Social Psychiatry Research Unit, The Australian National University, GPO Box 4, 2601, Canberra, Australia

    Anthony F. Jorm

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Jorm, A.F. Cross-national comparisons of the occurrence of Alzheimer's and vascular dementias. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Nuerosci 240, 218–222 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02189530

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