Validation of Studies

Validation studies of the clinical criteria have been undertaken for all dementia subtypes, except FTD.
They are limited by the fact that the gold standard diagnostic tests are performed at autopsy, so they consist of cohort studies once a definitive diagnosis is reached after death.
This table outlines the sensitivity and specificity found to date.

Learning Bite

Probable diagnosis of dementia can be made using clinical criteria, but definitive diagnosis currently requires autopsy samples.