Common abbreviations explained

The list

ACE-III

Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination, third edition. UK standard cognitive screening test.

AD

Alzheimer's Disease.

ADL

Activities of Daily Living. Basic self-care tasks: washing, dressing, eating, toileting, mobility.

ADRT

Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment.

APOE

Apolipoprotein E. APOE4 variant is an Alzheimer's risk factor.

ARIA

Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities. Side effect of anti-amyloid antibody therapy.

BPSD

Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia.

bvFTD

Behavioural Variant Frontotemporal Dementia.

CBS

Corticobasal Syndrome. FTD-spectrum disorder with movement features.

CHC

NHS Continuing Healthcare. Full NHS funding of care where needs are primarily health-related.

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

CQC

Care Quality Commission. Regulator of health and social care in England.

CSF

Cerebrospinal Fluid. Sampled by Lumbar Puncture for biomarker analysis.

CST

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy. NICE-recommended non-pharmacological treatment.

CT

Computed Tomography. Brain imaging using X-rays.

DAT

Dopamine Transporter. DAT Scan supports DLB diagnosis.

DLB

Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

DoLS

Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

DVLA

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

ECG

Electrocardiogram.

eGFR

estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate. Measure of kidney function.

FDG-PET

Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography. Brain metabolism imaging.

FTD

Frontotemporal Dementia.

GCA

Global Cortical Atrophy. Visual rating scale (Pasquier) on MRI.

GMC

General Medical Council. UK doctor regulator.

HbA1c

Glycated Haemoglobin. Measure of average blood glucose over 8 to 12 weeks.

HDL

High-Density Lipoprotein. "Good" cholesterol.

IADL

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Complex everyday tasks.

ICD-11

International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision.

IMCA

Independent Mental Capacity Advocate.

LDL

Low-Density Lipoprotein. "Bad" cholesterol.

LPA

Lasting Power of Attorney.

lvPPA

Logopenic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia.

MCA

Mental Capacity Act 2005.

MCI

Mild Cognitive Impairment. ICD-11 6D71 Mild Neurocognitive Disorder.

MDT

Multidisciplinary Team.

MMSE

Mini Mental State Examination. Older 30-point cognitive screen.

MND

Motor Neuron Disease. Can co-occur with FTD.

MoCA

Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Alternative cognitive screen.

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

MTA

Medial Temporal Atrophy. Visual rating scale (Scheltens) on MRI.

NHS

National Health Service.

NICE

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

NIHR

National Institute for Health and Care Research.

NMDA

N-methyl-D-aspartate. Receptor type targeted by Memantine.

NPH

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

OPG

Office of the Public Guardian. Government body that registers LPAs.

PCA

Posterior Cortical Atrophy.

PET

Positron Emission Tomography.

PIP

Personal Independence Payment.

PPA

Primary Progressive Aphasia.

PSP

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. FTD-spectrum movement disorder.

RBD

REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder.

ReSPECT

Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment.

SALT

Speech and Language Therapy.

SCD

Subjective Cognitive Decline.

SPECT

Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography.

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.

svPPA

Semantic Variant Primary Progressive Aphasia.

TIA

Transient Ischaemic Attack ("mini-stroke").

TSH

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.

UTI

Urinary Tract Infection.

VaD

Vascular Dementia.

VICCCS

Vascular Impairment of Cognition Classification Consensus Study.

WHO

World Health Organization.

Using this list

If you encounter an abbreviation not on this list, ask the clinician using it; most are happy to explain. The glossary is updated as new abbreviations enter common use.