Subgroups in Alzheimer's disease: fact or fiction?

Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for the majority of all dementing disorders, presents with a wide spectrum of demographic, neuropsychological, pathological and biochemical characteristics. It has become increasingly clear that Alzheimer's disease is indeed heterogeneous and lack of success in symptomatic treatment may be in part related to this. In an attempt to evaluate the utility of possible subgrouping schemas, we reviewed current criteria used to subclassify patients with Alzheimer's disease. Results suggest that although treatment attempts may have to take a more individualized approach, most current subgrouping concepts will probably have limited therapeutic utility.