MDCalc

International Working Group (IWG) 2 Criteria for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis

Diagnoses Alzheimer disease (AD), newer than NINCDS-ADRDA Criteria.

Exclusion criteria for typical AD: history

(if any are present, diagnosis is not typical AD)

Exclusion criteria for typical AD: clinical features

(if any are present, diagnosis is not typical AD)

Exclusion criteria for typical AD: other medical conditions

(if any are present, diagnosis is not typical AD)

Specific clinical phenotype (must have both)

Early significant episodic memory impairment (isolated or associated with cognitive/behavioral changes suggesting mild cognitive impairment or dementia syndrome) that includes both of the following:

Based on episodic memory test performance (e.g. cued recall); may be difficult to identify in later stages, in which case in-vivo evidence of Alzheimer’s pathology in the presence of dementia syndrome may be sufficient

In-vivo evidence (must have ≥1)

Diagnostic Result

Please fill out required fields.
Advice
  • Since IWG 2 is not widely used in clinical practice, no definitive management guidelines are based on these criteria.
  • If criteria are met: discuss diagnosis with the patient and caregivers, initiate symptomatic management, and consider disease-modifying therapies (if available).
  • If criteria are not fully met: but suspicion for AD remains, follow-up cognitive testing and referral to a specialist memory clinic for further assessment may be warranted.
  • For all patients, address modifiable risk factors (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, certain medications.
Have feedback about this calculator?