Why isn't Alzheimer's disease a mental disorder?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease has a known organic cause, which is the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain. Therefore, it is classified as a neurodegenerative disorder rather than a mental disorder.

Answer: B
 Cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease occurs gradually over the course of the disorder, which is consistent with a neurodegenerative disease. Mental disorders typically involve sudden or episodic changes in behavior or functioning.

Answer: C
 The characteristics of memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease are too inconsistent for a manual of mental disorders such as the DSM-5, which primarily focuses on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. Alzheimer's disease is better classified as a neurological disorder or dementia.

Answer: D
 While Alzheimer's disease can affect more than just the brain, such as the heart or the immune system, it is primarily characterized by the degeneration of neurons in the brain. Therefore, it is primarily classified as a neurological disorder.

Why Isn't Alzheimer's Disease a Mental Disorder