Method | Semiquantitative assessment of neuritic plaque density, graded by “cartoon” comparison as sparse, moderate, and frequent | All lesions considered (amyloid deposits, neuritic plaques, neuropil threads and NFT) |
| Sampling of multiple cortical areas and midbrain | “Age-related plaque score” and topographic staging of NFT combined with clinical information |
| Generation of “age related plaque score” | Probabilistic approach for diagnosis of dementia |
Categories | 0 | No evidence of Alzheimer’s disease | |
| A | Uncertain evidence of Alzheimer’s disease | Low probability: CERAD “sparse” and Braak stage I/II |
| B | Suggestive of Alzheimer’s disease | Intermediate probability: CERAD |
| C | Indicative of Alzheimer’s disease | “Moderate” and Braak stage III/IV high probability: CERAD “frequent” and Braak stage V/VI |
Potential disadvantages | Neurites in plaques do not have to display tau immunoreactivity | Other possible combinations of CERAD and Braak scores not considered. Uncertainty over application when no clinical details |