The New Conceptualization of Alzheimer's Disease under the Microscope of Influential Definitions of Disease

Background: According to its new conceptualization, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has preclinical and symptomatic phases, and biomarker abnormality justifies the diagnosis of the disease.

Methods: The conceptual validity of AD is assessed on the basis of the disease definitions of T. Szasz, R.E. Kendell and J.G. Scadding, C. Boorse, K.W.M. Fulford and J.C. Wakefield, as well as of the DSM-5 classification system.

Results: The new AD conceptualization could fit the Szaszian disease definition, provided that AD biomarkers reflected the pathological hallmarks of a singular disease, but it seems that they do not. Moreover, preclinical AD does not yield a biological disadvantage, being a central criterion for justifying the presence of a disease according to the disease definition of Scadding and Kendell. In addition, it remains unclear whether abnormality of biomarkers in elderly people embodies a statistical deviation from normal ageing and a pathological characteristic. Furthermore, not all stages of AD are related to experiences of failure of intentional doing, which is the criterion of the disease definition of Fulford, whilst the Wakefieldian harmful dysfunction and the DSM-5 mental disorder criteria are fulfilled only in the symptomatic phases of the disease course.

Discussion: Our analytical endeavours unveiled weak sides and the fuzzy boundaries of the new conceptualization of AD. Future refinements of the criteria should address them so that the validity of the AD concept is increased.