[Combined medical treatment and psychotherapy in early-stage Alzheimer's over a period of 30 months].

The present case delineates the results of a 30-month combined pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment in a mildly to moderately depressed patient with early Alzheimer's dementia. At onset and during following visits, clinical examination and standardized test procedures for measuring cognitive and emotional changes were completed. Treatment results reveal a consistent benefit to cognitive levels and emotional distress over time. The present example of a mildly demented, depressed Alzheimer's patient shows a therapeutic outcome which is markedly superior to usual expectations in Alzheimer's treatment and encourages combination of therapeutic strategies in early stages of the disease.