Dear Collegues,
There will be a panel discussion at APA (1 pm - 2:50 pm, Thursday Aug 4, Convention Center, Rm 151A) on the proposed new diagnositic criteria for AD. I have listed the names of the panel members at the end of this e-mail.
Each panel member will be asked to give a 10-minute presentation on their thoughts and observations regarding the proposed three new criteria for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. After that, the panel will be asked to respond to questions on the topic. Some questions already have been brought to me, which I am listing at the end of this e-mail.
I am now eliciting other questions from Div 20 and Div 12/II members in advance and will provide those to panel members in advance of the convention. They can address some of them in their10-minute presentations, or not, as they prefer.
We also will ask attendees at the panel discussion to write questions on cards which will be given to me, and some of those questions also will be put before the panel, as time permits. My job will be that of moderator, and my goal will be to find common ground and, with the panel's assistance, create a consensus statement on this topic. I will then try to see if such a statement can be published, if not in the American Psychologist, then in a Alzheimer's-focused journal.
While this topic has generated much discussion already, along with many emotional reactions, I believe that it is very important to be able to have a reasoned and honest discussion of the issues. Where there are topics on which consensus cannot be reached, I will try to accurately outline different perspectives, assumptions shared and not shared, and fairly describe each position. I truly believe that such an approach is timely, important, and crucial to advancing the welfare of those we all serve - persons with dementia, their families and friends, and their caregivers.
I look forward to seeing you in August.
Best wishes,
Cameron Camp, Ph.D.
Cameron Camp, Ph.D.
APA Div 20 President
Here are the initial questions.
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What are the potential effects of using these criteria on ability to receive long-term care insurance?
If a spinal tap or brain scan is required to ensure that a person does not have "AD without showing symptoms", what effect will this have on recruiting normal older adults for research who may not want to undergo such screening?
How accurate are the biological markers?
What will be the effect of relying on biological markers to diagnose AD have on neuropsychological testing?
What if the beta-amyloid hypothesis proves to be wrong with regard to the cause of AD?
What are the consequences of letting someone know far in advance that the person will probably develop AD in the somewhat distant future?
Panel Members:
Daniel George
Denise Park
Sara Qualls
Adam Brickman
Cameron Camp
Maria Carrillo
