Table 1 Eligibility criteria for subject selection

Inclusion criteria

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All new consecutive patients of the participating memory clinics who are suspected of having a primary neurodegenerative disease

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Mini-Mental State Examination: ≥ 20

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Clinical Dementia Rating: 0 – 1

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Availability of a reliable informer or proxy (who visits or contacts the patient at least once a week)

Exclusion criteria

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Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, Huntington’s disease

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Less than two years ago a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or cerebral vascular accident (CVA) or TIA/CVA followed (within three months) by cognitive impairment

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Psychiatric history (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or psychotic problems (not otherwise specified), less than 12 months ago)

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Major Depression according to the DSM-IV, less than 12 months ago

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Cognitive problems due to excessive alcohol use (based on clinical judgement)

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Brain tumour, epilepsy, encephalitis

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Probably not available for follow-up