Abstract:
Paquid is an interdisciplinary study designed to investigate cerebral and functional
aging. A cohort of 3,777 community residents living in two administrative areas of
South-Western France was selected. A standardized questionnaire was administered at
home by trained psychologists. The same procedure was applied one and three years
after the baseline data collection. The identification of demented subjects was made
with a two-step procedure. The first step is a systematic screening by the psychologists
using the DSM-III criteria for dementia. Subjects who fulfilled the DSM-III criteria
were examined by a neurologist. Diagnosis of dementia is confirmed according to the
NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. The Paquid cohort is complemented by a random sample of 357
institutionalized subjects. First results of prevalence and incidence rates show an
exponential increase of dementia with age.
Key-Words
Epidemiology - Aging - Dementia - Prevalence - Incidence