In developed nations more than 20% of the population are older than 65 years. Around 8% of this group are estimated to suffer from dementia. For Europe, this means 12–15 million patients and at least the same number of relatives are confronted with dementia. Thus, dementia must be a priority theme in science.

Causes, diagnostics, therapy and services in dementia.

To give an update.

For new developments in dementia research, guidelines and recent research articles were screened. Resulting facts were grouped in the areas causes, diagnostics, therapy and services.

In research on causes no breaking news could be detected. For diagnostics, new attempts were proposed. Recent treatment guidelines were developed (for example of the WFSBP). In comparison of nations and even within nations service structures are heterogeneous.

In the field of dementia the lack of breaking news demonstrates how necessary research will be. Some nations have developed national dementia action plans. A European dementia action plan might improve our knowledge on dementia and, moreover, improve the actual situation of patients and care givers.